- Simon Jordan says Manchester City are in “significant trouble” over the Man City appeal verdict.
- The former Crystal Palace owner does not expect the Premier League appeal to change the result.
- The Athletic reports that rival top-flight clubs are considering a class action lawsuit against City.
Simon Jordan believes City are in “significant trouble” and has questioned whether an appeal would change the reported findings in the club’s Premier League financial case.
Reports on Friday claimed an independent panel had found the vast majority of more than 100 charges against Man City proven.
The Premier League has not published the commission’s findings, and City continue to deny wrongdoing. The club said on Friday that the process remains ongoing, with “significant elements” still to be completed.
Sky Sports News understands the process is moving towards the appeal stage.
Jordan, the former Crystal Palace owner, does not expect a challenge to the reported findings to produce a substantially different outcome.
Jordan says City are in ‘significant trouble’
Speaking on talkSPORT following Friday’s reports, Jordan said he had always believed City had questions to answer over the case. He also questioned how much success the club could have if the reported findings are challenged.
“I’m unsurprised because I always thought Man City had a case to answer.
“It’ll be interesting to see how Man City play the appeal out, but they are now in significant trouble, because I don’t think that an appeal is going to be particularly fruitful for them, I don’t think it’s going to produce a different outcome.”
Jordan’s comments are his assessment of what could happen next rather than an indication of how any appeal would be decided. City’s position remains that the process has not finished.
City reiterate position on Premier League case
The Premier League charged City in February 2023 following an investigation that had begun several years earlier. An independent commission subsequently heard the case for 12 weeks between September and December 2024.
City responded to Friday’s reports with a statement stressing both the confidentiality of the proceedings and their continuing denial of wrongdoing. A club spokesperson said, as reported by the Manchester Evening News:
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023.
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
The reference to eight years reflects the length of the wider dispute rather than the period since the Premier League formally charged City in 2023.
Jordan doubts appeal would change outcome
Jordan’s comments are focused less on what punishment City could eventually receive and more on whether the reported findings themselves can be successfully challenged. That remains unknown while the proceedings are confidential.
No sanction has been publicly announced, and the Premier League has not published the commission’s judgment. City have also not publicly announced a formal appeal. Jordan nevertheless believes the club faces a difficult position if the case reaches that stage.
“I don’t think that an appeal is going to be particularly fruitful for them.”
That is, of course, Jordan’s opinion rather than a prediction based on information from inside the proceedings. City have repeatedly expressed confidence in their case and continue to deny wrongdoing.
Rival clubs could consider separate action
The consequences of the case may eventually extend beyond the Premier League’s disciplinary proceedings. Reports have suggested rival clubs could consider compensation claims depending on the final outcome. No such action has been determined, and any compensation case would be separate from the proceedings between City and the Premier League.
For the moment, the next steps remain behind closed doors. Sky Sports News understands the process is moving towards the appeal stage, while City say significant elements are still to be completed.
Jordan does not expect a challenge to change the reported findings. Whether he is right will only become clear as the Premier League process progresses.
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