Man City to Challenge £830m Funding Ruling in Premier League

Manchester City are ready to fight back against claims about the money behind some of their sponsorship deals. They are set to appeal a ruling that found they broke the Premier League's financial rules.

An independent body ruled that City was guilty of all charges related to alleged financial misconduct from the 2009-10 season to the 2017-18 season.

The commission said the club inflated their income through sponsorship deals and hid the real size of some of their debts.

According to BBC Sport on Thursday, City has always denied any wrongdoing. They plan to argue in their appeal that key sponsorship payments came from the Abu Dhabi government, not from their owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG).

The sponsorship deals in question are said to involve about £830.69 million.

The Premier League claims these deals were part of a hidden funding plan that helped City look like they were following financial rules.

But the commission did not accept City’s explanation about where the money came from. They said it seemed like an explanation made up after the events to hide the real deals.

City has slammed the commission’s findings, saying they include what the club calls clear mistakes in law, principle, and fact. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak stated that the club has “irrefutable evidence” that backs their case.

The situation has also caught the attention of HM Revenue & Customs. Dame Meg Hillier, who leads the Treasury Committee, has asked HMRC if they have sought access to parts of the commission’s report that were kept secret.

Hillier expressed that she would like to know that HMRC understands how significant the issues are and the wider public interest involved.

At the same time, Etihad Airways, one of Manchester City’s main sponsors, has denied claims that it took part in any improper business deals.

The national airline of the UAE said it is thinking about taking legal action against the Premier League due to what they call harmful consequences from the publication of the commission’s findings.

The Premier League has not commented on this matter.

The outcome of City’s appeal will decide if the commission’s findings stay in place. Any separate investigation by HMRC will focus on whether the evidence raises issues related to their legal and regulatory duties.