City have formally lodged their appeal against the independent commission’s guilty verdict, completing the next expected step in a case that continues to dominate the international break.
The Premier League confirmed the development on Friday, while the Football Association has issued its first significant response to the commission’s findings.
City formally launch appeal
Man City confirmed their comprehensive appeal was lodged at 7pm on Thursday, 1 October.
The club maintain that the commission’s opinion contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe”, while continuing to insist that a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supports their position.
The Premier League confirmed City’s appeal, saying it had been lodged with the Chair of the Judicial Panel. An independent Appeal Board will now hear the case, with proceedings remaining private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted.
No sanction has yet been imposed. That remains a separate stage of the disciplinary process.
FA warns of integrity implications
There was another significant development when the Football Association responded publicly to the verdict.
“The independent commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game,” the FA said. “We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate.”
The governing body added that proceedings between City and the Premier League remain ongoing and said it would continue to monitor developments closely.
That introduces another potential dimension to a case which has already produced questions over possible Premier League sanctions, compensation claims and wider legal consequences.
Etihad Airways has said it is considering possible legal action following the City verdict, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s legal position has also come under scrutiny after reports concerning immunity granted to him in the United Kingdom.
Haaland frustrated with Norway
Football provided some distraction from the case, although not much consolation for Erling Haaland. The City striker was kept quiet as Norway lost 2-1 to Wales in Cardiff. Former City winger Oscar Bobb opened the scoring before Daniel James equalised, with Neco Williams scoring the winner from a free-kick after Torbjorn Heggem was sent off immediately after half-time.
Haaland had two headed opportunities during the second half but couldn’t add to his international goal tally. For City, however, the defining development of the day came away from the pitch.
The guilty verdict is now formally under appeal, while the FA is considering what the commission’s findings could mean within its own remit.
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