Manchester City financial breach verdict fallout: Soriano says battle could last years as Mancini cites dual contracts

An independent Premier League commission has upheld the vast majority of the 115 Premier League financial breach charges against Manchester City, but controversy over the verdict and the legal battle to follow are still developing.^[1]

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano said on Monday at a European Club Association board meeting that City will prove its innocence and will fight for a long time to clear its name.^[1] Sky News understands Soriano also told other club executives that the battle between Manchester City and the Premier League could take years to end.^[4]

Meanwhile, several Premier League clubs are pushing for the Manchester City verdict to be published as soon as possible and are unhappy with the timeline.^[1] Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak still believes that key evidence will emerge in the future to overturn the preliminary guilty finding.^[3]

Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was also asked about the matter. He appeared to acknowledge that 'dual contracts' existed during his time managing City, but insisted the club is 'innocent' after being found to have breached Premier League financial rules.^[5] Mancini, who led City to their first Premier League title in 2012 during a four-year spell in charge, now manages the Italy national team and said the scandal surrounding the club is not something that troubles him.^[5]

Among supporters, a letter cited Swindon Town's 1990 punishment for financial breaches as an example, arguing that if Manchester City remain punished after an appeal, they could face relegation and the stripping of titles.^[2]

The current evidence provides no match results or transfer developments; the focus remains on the verdict, the club's response and potential sanctions.