Premier League clubs press for Manchester City case to finish this season

Senior football figures want Manchester City’s financial-rules case settled before the end of the season, BBC Sport reported, as the club prepares to challenge the findings against it. No punishment has yet been announced, and the timing of the appeal and any subsequent sanctions remains unresolved.

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The Premier League announced on Tuesday that City had been found guilty of financial-regulation breaches covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. According to BBC Sport, the findings included artificially increasing revenue by more than £900m through sponsorship arrangements. City have repeatedly denied wrongdoing and indicated that they intend to submit an appeal by the end of the week. The club maintains that evidence supports its position.

Officials speaking anonymously to BBC Sport said the process should be completed during the current campaign, while stressing that it must be handled properly. Separately, the Guardian reported that executives at several rival clubs considered a punishment resulting in only one season outside the Premier League insufficient. Those views do not determine the outcome: rival clubs have no role in deciding the sanction, which rests with an independent commission.

The Premier League and City can each put forward arguments about an appropriate punishment. Available measures include points deductions, transfer embargoes and expulsion, according to the Guardian, but none has been confirmed. BBC Sport reported that league regulations provide for an appeal to conclude within 12 weeks of being filed, followed by a decision within 30 days. That framework does not make a completion date certain; City chief executive Ferran Soriano has suggested the case could continue for a lengthy period.

The dispute widened on Wednesday when City sponsor Etihad Airways said it was considering legal action against the Premier League. In a statement reported by BBC Sport, the airline rejected suggestions that it had participated in improper commercial arrangements. Etihad said it had not been given an opportunity to engage in the process and argued that public communication of the findings had damaged its interests, despite it not being named in the published, redacted decision.

Etihad said it would seek legal advice on its options. The Premier League declined to comment to BBC Sport on the airline’s statement. The league has said it wants the wider case concluded as soon as possible, but City’s intended appeal and the separate question of punishment remain outstanding.