Manchester City’s chief executive, Ferran Soriano, has told fellow European club executives that the club’s legal battle with the Premier League will take a lot of time to resolve.
Soriano spoke at a meeting of the European Football Clubs board in Copenhagen on Monday, where he said City disagreed with the findings of the independent commission that ruled against them on the vast majority of 115 financial charges.
The verdict emerged last Friday but has not yet been published in full by either the Premier League or City. That has left other clubs without details of the commission’s findings or a clear indication of what sanctions, if any, could follow.
One club source said: “All we have is a void, and it would be better for everyone if it was filled as soon as possible.”
Soriano is understood to have asked to make a brief statement to the board. He said City remained confident of proving their innocence and would continue to fight the ruling. He also referred to the length of the case, saying: “It’s taken eight years to get here, and it’s going to take a lot more time.”
Cherki wizardry 🧙♂️✨ pic.twitter.com/iLdlEfgbHZ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 28, 2026
The eight-year period refers to the Premier League’s investigation, which began in 2018 after allegations of financial misconduct were made against City. The club were formally charged in 2023.
Soriano’s comments were made in front of other English football executives, including Jean-Claude Blanc, Manchester United’s head of international football relations, and Dan Friedkin, the Everton owner who also owns Roma. Soriano declined to answer questions from reporters after the meeting.
City have consistently denied the allegations. A club statement after the verdict emerged said the Premier League process remained ongoing and subject to strict confidentiality, adding that City’s position remained unchanged from their response to the charges in 2023.
The charges include allegations that City failed to provide accurate financial information for nine seasons from 2009, failed to disclose full details of player and manager remuneration, and did not co-operate fully with the Premier League’s investigation between 2018 and 2023.
Former City manager Roberto Mancini, whose time at the club is covered by some of the allegations, was asked about the case before Italy’s Nations League match against Turkey.
“It’s not an issue that concerns me,” Mancini said. “It’s nothing new because this matter has been discussed for the last four or five years.”
He added: “Manchester City has not been found guilty, and the alleged double contract is not my concern. It’s their issue, not mine.”
City won the FA Cup in 2011 and their first league title for 44 years in 2012 during Mancini’s time in charge.
The independent commission’s findings have already prompted debate over what sanctions could follow if the verdict survives any appeal. The former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness said City’s honours from the period should be reconsidered, while former City goalkeeper Joe Hart said he remained confident in the club’s position.
“I’ve got no reason not to trust Khaldoon,” Hart said, referring to City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
“If Man City are found guilty, which I don’t think they are because of what Khaldoon said, then there’s conversations to be had. But right now I’m very confident and very, very calm.”
