Ferran Soriano ‘to clear’ Man City name after Premier League verdict | OneFootball

Ferran Soriano has delivered a leaked internal video defending Manchester City after a guilty ruling for serious financial breaches, saying the Premier League case rests on one false allegation and pledging to clear the club on appeal.

Daily Mail Sport reports that the chief executive told staff the accusations hinge on owner funds being secretly channelled via Abu Dhabi sponsors, which he says is untrue, and that City have irrefutable evidence, including bank records, transfers and witnesses.

An independent commission has set out findings that City systematically broke Premier League rules over nine seasons. It said sponsors paid only part of fees and Abu Dhabi United Group funded the rest, inflating revenues by over £900 million and breaching League and UEFA limits.

Soriano rejects the conclusions, arguing the commission embraced a conspiracy theory and ignored extensive evidence. He maintains the opinion is clearly wrong.

Sky News footage showed a tense public exchange on Tuesday, with a reporter alleging years of cheating and pressing for an apology to fans. Soriano declined to comment, repeatedly saying he had nothing to add while walking away.

City have until Friday to lodge an appeal. If the verdict stands, potential sanctions range from heavy fines to major points deductions or automatic relegation, and Soriano told staff lawyers will file an appeal alleging material errors and pursue all available legal avenues, including claims for compensation.

Source: Goal.com

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