Manchester City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano has dismissed the guilty verdicts as a “Premier League conspiracy theory” built on a false claim about the club’s finances.
In a video statement to City staff after the verdict confirmed City guilty on more than 100 charges, Soriano argued the entire case rests on “a single false accusation – that the owner’s personal money was somehow and secretly put into the club via some sponsors from Abu Dhabi.” He insisted this “is just not true” and said the club has provided “irrefutable evidence” including bank statements, money transfers and witness testimony to prove the money did not come from owner Sheikh Mansour.
“Every other false charge that has been thrown at us comes from that simple, central and completely false accusation,” Soriano said. He accused the independent panel of ignoring extensive evidence to reach a “clearly wrong” conclusion.
City will now appeal, with Soriano saying the club’s lawyers will argue the opinion “contains clear, material errors of law, principle and fact and that it is unsafe.” Manager Enzo Maresca has already signalled his backing for the club’s fight against the ruling.
Sources
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