Manchester City have appealed. The club confirmed on Friday morning that it had lodged a challenge to the verdict delivered earlier in the week, with a statement describing the ruling against them as containing "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe".
It's a line that leaves little room for interpretation. City aren't accepting the outcome quietly, and the paperwork went in at 7PM on Thursday 1 October — a detail the club took the trouble to highlight.
The verdict itself landed on Tuesday, when the Premier League published its own statement confirming that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. An independent panel found that the club had arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise funding of more than £830 million. The Premier League claimed City had "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade".
City's response has been robust. They say they have provided "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence [that] exists in support of all of its positions". The appeal, described in the club's own statement as 'comprehensive', takes aim at what they characterise as the Premier League's 'opinion' as much as its verdict.
Guardiola breaks his silence
Against that backdrop, the most recognisable figure of the club's modern era has spoken. Pep Guardiola, who managed City for ten years and delivered the club's first Champions League trophy alongside four consecutive Premier League titles between 2021 and 2024, released a message on social media.
"I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever."
He didn't stop there.
"I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak], Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters."
And then the line that will be repeated most often:
"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."
Guardiola had already shown his backing for the club in a message on social media in recent days. This latest statement goes considerably further.
The prospect of a return
Rumours have circulated that Guardiola is considering attending a match at the Etihad Stadium. According to City insider 'RealTolmie' on X, club sources have hinted that he is weighing up a return for their next home fixture, having reportedly told figures at the stadium that he 'wants to be with his people'.
Which match he might choose remains unclear. The immediate schedule offers a few candidates: after the international break, Enzo Maresca's side travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Premier League, before returning to the Etihad in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. The next home league game comes after that, with newly-promoted Ipswich Town the visitors on Saturday 17 October.
Whether any of that materialises is another matter. For now, the rumour sits in the realm of the unconfirmed.
Soriano addresses staff
Away from the noise, City CEO Ferran Soriano has spoken directly to club staff, addressing them following the Premier League's publication of the commission's findings.
Reports have indicated that, as part of the appeal, the club are expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government rather than the club's owners — a distinction that would form a central plank of their case.
The appeal is in. The arguments will follow.