Manchester City have confirmed that they have appealed after being found guilty of breaching Premier League rules.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that an independent commission had found the club had arranged “sham contracts” to circumvent financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The commission ruled that Manchester City were guilty on every rule breach and all bar one of failing to comply with the Premier League’s investigation.
Manchester City appealed the decision, though, on Thursday night after claiming that they had an “irrefutable body of evidence” to challenge the verdict.
“The club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe,” a Manchester City statement said.
“The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.
“We will continue to respect due process and are necessarily restricted in what we can say further until all proceedings are complete.”
New Premier League rules state that an appeal hearing must be held within 12 weeks of an appeal being lodged, with a decision due within 30 days of the hearing, which can only last five days, concluding.
A fresh appeal board will be appointed by the chair of the Premier League’s judicial panel, and may allow the appeal, dismiss it, or make any other order that it thinks fit.
On Friday, the Football Association (FA) said that it would consider action after a decision that it said had “significant implications for the integrity of the game”.
English football’s governing body said it would monitor the development of proceedings, while the Premier League has not yet detailed any sanctions.
They will be addressed in a separate, confidential hearing with the independent commission, and it is not clear if this will occur concurrently with the appeal hearing or after.
The scope of possible punishments includes a fine, suspension or points deduction, with expulsion understood to require a special shareholder vote, with 15 of the 19 other Premier League clubs voting in favour.
