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Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has warned that the club’s long-running battle with the Premier League over its 115 financial charges could continue for years.
Soriano reportedly made the remarks during a private meeting of the executive board of the European Football Clubs body in Copenhagen, where he referenced the case and the interest of other clubs.
According to Sky News sources, the City chief executive pointed out that it was already eight years since the allegations were first made and indicated that the dispute would require much more time before reaching a final conclusion.
Soriano is also understood to have made clear that Manchester City remains determined to fight the case, with the club able to appeal as the process moves towards the next stage.
The development follows reports that an independent tribunal has reached decisions on the majority of the 115 charges brought against City, with most of the alleged financial rule breaches reportedly found to have been proven.
However, neither the Premier League nor Manchester City has publicly confirmed the full details of the reported findings, while the proceedings remain subject to confidentiality.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has maintained the club’s confidence in its position, saying: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.”
A Manchester City spokesperson also said the club’s position remained unchanged, stressing that the process was still ongoing and that significant elements were yet to be completed.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality,” the spokesperson said.
City were charged in February 2023 following a Premier League investigation into alleged breaches covering financial reporting, sponsorship income, player and manager remuneration and other competition rules.
At the time, the club rejected the allegations and said it welcomed consideration of the case by an independent commission, maintaining that it possessed evidence supporting its position.
The latest development does not automatically bring the eight-year dispute to an end. Any potential sanctions would be determined through a separate process, while City retains the right to challenge the reported findings through the appeal process.
With both the legal and disciplinary stages still ahead, Soriano’s warning underlines the likelihood that one of the Premier League’s most consequential financial disputes will remain unresolved for some time.
