Regulator says it can force Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners to sell if it finds them unfit; Carragher says they must sell up, and Burnham says he would be concerned to lose them
After the sham-sponsorship findings, Jamie Carragher said Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners must sell up, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be concerned to lose them. Regulator chair David Kogan says it can force a sale but will await the appeal.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
On September 29, 2026, the Premier League published an independent commission's finding that Manchester City arranged sponsorship contracts it described as shams to disguise funding from its owner between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons. City denies wrongdoing and has appealed. The findings opened a second argument, over whether the club's Abu Dhabi owners, led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, should keep the club if the findings stand. Jamie Carragher wrote that the owners must sell up, and Gary Neville said it was hard to see how they could pass the owners' and directors' test. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be really concerned to lose them. The Independent Football Regulator, which can judge whether owners are suitable, says it can require an owner to step away but will not make a judgement while the appeal is pending.
Read the full background
Whether City used sham sponsorships, and the club's denial, are recorded in a separate case on the commission's findings. This case follows the argument over the club's owners. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has owned Manchester City since 2008 through his investment companies; the commission found that his Abu Dhabi United Group funded most of the disputed sponsorship fees.
The regulator's owners' test
The Independent Football Regulator, set up by the government in 2025, said on September 30 (opens in a new tab) that it can assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and would use those powers where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals, taking account of findings made by the leagues. It said it would await further developments while the proceedings continued. On October 13 its chair, David Kogan, said (opens in a new tab) that a verdict that had been through the appeal process would be taken into account when looking at the club's owners, directors and senior executives. A week later he told The Rest Is Football podcast (opens in a new tab) that the regulator can ask an owner to step away from a club and that an owner could not refuse. City AM reports (opens in a new tab) that a disqualified owner would be given a deadline to sell, after which a third party would take over the sale.
The Prime Minister and the government
On September 30 Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester until June, told the BBC (opens in a new tab) he would be really concerned to lose City's owners. Conservative shadow minister Louie French and Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali (opens in a new tab) criticized the remark. The next day a Downing Street spokesperson said (opens in a new tab) there could not be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules and that, wherever wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences. Kogan said on October 13 (opens in a new tab) that any political interference in the regulator's work would lead him to resign and that it had come under no political pressure. Burnham said he would publish (opens in a new tab) details of his dealings with the club's owners from his time as mayor.
The owners' position
In June, before the findings were published, club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said (opens in a new tab) there was no intention to sell. City AM reports (opens in a new tab) that City Football Group, the club's parent company, allotted new shares worth about 100 million pounds on October 14, and that a group spokesperson confirmed they were bought by Newton Investment and Development, Sheikh Mansour's company. ITV News reported (opens in a new tab) that City's appeal was expected to rest on evidence that the Abu Dhabi government, not Sheikh Mansour, provided sponsorship funding. As of November 15, 2026, we could not locate a public statement from Sheikh Mansour, or from the club since the findings were published, on whether the owner would sell.
What is still open
As of November 15, 2026, the appeal had not been decided and no sanction had been set. Kogan said (opens in a new tab) the regulator would decide whether to open its own investigation only after the outstanding questions in the case are answered.
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: September 29, 2026 to October 14, 2026
September 2026
Premier League publishes the commission's findings against Manchester City
Source release
The league publishes an independent commission's decision finding that City arranged sham sponsorship contracts between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, with the owner funding most of the fees. City says it is innocent and will pursue an appeal.
[01]Premier League
Source excerpt
The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade.
The Premier League's statement of September 29, 2026 announcing the commission's findings, with a link to the redacted core decision. It summarizes the findings, gives a quotation from chief executive Richard Masters, says sanction will be decided at a separate private hearing and says City has until Friday, October 2 to appeal. The page shows a date but no time.
Premier League Statement: Manchester City FC · Premier LeagueStatement, quotation from Richard Masters and Notes to Editors[02]The Standard
The Standard's report on City's response, printing the club's statement in full. It matches the BBC Sport copy of the statement.
Man City claim innocence and confirm plan to appeal 'unsafe' guilty verdict · The StandardCity's statement, as printed in the articleIndependent Football Regulator says it can assess the suitability of owners and will await developments
Reaction
The regulator says the decision raises serious issues and that it will use its powers to assess owners, directors and executives where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals, but will await further developments while the proceedings continue.
[03]Independent Football Regulator
Source excerpt
The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues.
The regulator's own statement on its website, dated September 30, 2026 and attributed to its chair, David Kogan.
IFR Statement - Manchester City · Independent Football RegulatorWhole statement, attributed to IFR Chair David Kogan
October 2026
Downing Street says no one is above the rules after Burnham's comments on City's owners
Reaction
A Downing Street spokesperson says the initial judgment is serious, that the independent process must run its course, and that wherever wrongdoing is established those responsible should face the appropriate consequences.
[04]'Wrongdoing' at Manchester City should lead to 'appropriate consequences', says Downing Street
ITV News report on the Downing Street spokesperson's statement after Andy Burnham's comments about City's owners, with the full statement from Conservative shadow minister Louie French.
'Wrongdoing' at Manchester City should lead to 'appropriate consequences', says Downing StreetParagraphs quoting the Downing Street spokesperson, Burnham and Louie FrenchManchester City lodges its appeal against the commission's decision
Incident
City says it lodged a comprehensive appeal at 7 p.m. on October 1, and the Premier League confirms the next day that the club has appealed. The Appeal Board hearing is private.
[05]Man City lodge appeal: Premier League club contest guilty verdict of independent commission (Sky Sports, October 2, 2026)
Source excerpt
Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the club lodged its comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter.
Sky Sports' report reproduces Manchester City's October 2 statement confirming its appeal, in which the club says the decision contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, is unsafe, and that it is innocent. The report also notes that the appeal timeline under the league's rules runs about 12 weeks from filing.
Man City lodge appeal: Premier League club contest guilty verdict of independent commission (Sky Sports, October 2, 2026)Quoted Manchester City statement, paragraphs 5-8[06]Premier League
Source excerpt
Manchester City FC has appealed the decision of an independent Commission regarding breaches of Premier League rules. The club lodged the appeal to the Chair of the Judicial Panel.
The Premier League's statement confirming that Manchester City appealed the independent commission's decision. It says the Appeal Board hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted, and sets out how Appeal Boards are appointed and what they may decide.
Premier League Statement: Manchester City FC appeal decision of independent Commission (Premier League, October 2, 2026) · Premier LeagueOpening paragraphsRegulator chair David Kogan says he would resign over any political interference
Reaction
Speaking in Manchester, Kogan says the regulator has come under no political pressure and that any interference would lead him to resign. He says a verdict that has been through the appeal process would be taken into account when looking at the club's owners, directors and senior executives.
[07]Associated Press
Associated Press report, carried by News4JAX, on Kogan's remarks in Manchester at the launch of the regulator's State of the Game report.
English soccer's regulator insists there will be no political pressure in Man City case · Associated PressParagraphs quoting Kogan on political interference and on the appealSheikh Mansour's company buys about 100 million pounds of new City Football Group shares
Incident
City Football Group, Manchester City's parent company, allots new shares raising about 100 million pounds. A group spokesperson tells City AM that Newton Investment and Development, Sheikh Mansour's company, bought them.
[08]Sheikh Mansour doubles down on Manchester City with £100m injection despite legal row
City AM report on new City Football Group shares allotted on October 14, 2026 and bought by Sheikh Mansour's company, confirmed by a group spokesperson.
Sheikh Mansour doubles down on Manchester City with £100m injection despite legal rowOpening paragraphs on the share issue
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Gary Neville said in a Sky Sports article published on October 3, 2026 that "It's hard to see how the Man City owners can comply with the owners' and directors' test in this country if the verdict remains" and that the only appropriate punishment is "to apply the owners' and directors' test, firstly".
What is disputed
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would be really concerned to lose the owners, and the club denies wrongdoing and has appealed. The regulator says it will not judge the owners while the questions in the case remain open.
Sources (1)
- Man City owners cannot 'retain status' if guilty verdict stands after appeal, says Gary Neville · Sky SportsArticle text quoting Neville on the owners' and directors' test
Response record
Responses
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Clear response filtersSources
(15)
Official statement
IFR Statement - Manchester City
Relevant passage: Whole statement, attributed to IFR Chair David Kogan
Excerpt
"The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues."
About this source
The regulator's own statement on its website, dated September 30, 2026 and attributed to its chair, David Kogan.
- Author
- Independent Football Regulator
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Sheikh Mansour doubles down on Manchester City with £100m injection despite legal row
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs on the share issue
About this source
City AM report on new City Football Group shares allotted on October 14, 2026 and bought by Sheikh Mansour's company, confirmed by a group spokesperson.
- Author
- Frank Dalleres, City AM
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
English soccer's regulator insists there will be no political pressure in Man City case
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Kogan on political interference and on the appeal
About this source
Associated Press report, carried by News4JAX, on Kogan's remarks in Manchester at the launch of the regulator's State of the Game report.
- Author
- James Robson, Associated Press
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
'Wrongdoing' at Manchester City should lead to 'appropriate consequences', says Downing Street
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting the Downing Street spokesperson, Burnham and Louie French
About this source
ITV News report on the Downing Street spokesperson's statement after Andy Burnham's comments about City's owners, with the full statement from Conservative shadow minister Louie French.
- Author
- ITV News Granada
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
U.K. Government Satisfied With 'Most Extreme' Outcome in Man City Case
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Lisa Nandy's talkSPORT interview and David Kogan's Times Radio interview
About this source
Sports Illustrated article quoting Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's talkSPORT interview on club owners and the regulator's powers, and Kogan's Times Radio interview on political interference.
- Author
- Jamie Spencer, Sports Illustrated
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City owners could be forced to sell if wrongdoing is upheld, regulator chief says (AFP)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs quoting Kogan
About this source
AFP report, carried by Malay Mail, quoting Kogan's remarks on The Rest Is Football podcast that the regulator can ask an owner to step away from a club.
- Author
- Agence France-Presse, published by Malay Mail
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City: Independent Football Regulator confirms it has 'absolute power' to force owners to sell the club
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Kogan's interview on The Rest Is Football podcast
About this source
GB News report quoting David Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator, on The Rest Is Football podcast about the regulator's powers over club owners and the Manchester City case.
- Author
- GB News
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
Chairman: Sheikh Mansour has no intention of selling this business
Relevant passage: Opening section of the chairman's annual end-of-season interview
About this source
Article on Manchester City's website from Khaldoon Al Mubarak's annual end-of-season interview, published in June 2026, before the commission's findings, with his remarks on whether the owner would sell.
- Author
- Jack Mumford, Manchester City
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City owners cannot 'retain status' if guilty verdict stands after appeal, says Gary Neville
Relevant passage: Article text quoting Neville on the owners' and directors' test
About this source
Sky Sports article, published the day after City confirmed its appeal, quoting Gary Neville on whether the club's owners could pass the owners' and directors' test if the verdict stands.
- Author
- Gary Neville, Sky Sports
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City sale is only way to 'heal from shame of their guilt', says Jamie Carragher (PA Media)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs, quoting Carragher's Daily Telegraph column
About this source
PA Media report, carried by The Irish News, on Jamie Carragher's Daily Telegraph column arguing that Manchester City's owners must sell the club after the commission's findings.
- Author
- PA Media, published by The Irish News
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City lodge appeal: Premier League club contest guilty verdict of independent commission (Sky Sports, October 2, 2026)
Relevant passage: Quoted Manchester City statement, paragraphs 5-8
Excerpt
"Manchester City Football Club can confirm that at 7pm on Thursday 1st October 2026 the club lodged its comprehensive appeal against the opinion of the Premier League Commission, in relation to the Premier League disciplinary matter."
About this source
Sky Sports' report reproduces Manchester City's October 2 statement confirming its appeal, in which the club says the decision contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, is unsafe, and that it is innocent. The report also notes that the appeal timeline under the league's rules runs about 12 weeks from filing.
- Author
- Sky Sports
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Premier League Statement: Manchester City FC appeal decision of independent Commission (Premier League, October 2, 2026)
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs
Excerpt
"Manchester City FC has appealed the decision of an independent Commission regarding breaches of Premier League rules. The club lodged the appeal to the Chair of the Judicial Panel."
About this source
The Premier League's statement confirming that Manchester City appealed the independent commission's decision. It says the Appeal Board hearing will remain private and confidential until publication of the outcome is permitted, and sets out how Appeal Boards are appointed and what they may decide.
- Author
- Premier League
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Andy Burnham 'really concerned' if Man City owners sell up after rule breaches (BBC News)
Relevant passage: Paragraphs quoting Burnham on Everton and on leaping to one side
About this source
BBC News' article on the interview, recorded at Everton's stadium. It quotes Burnham comparing City's position with Everton's 2023 case and saying it would be wrong of him to leap to one side.
- Author
- Ewan Somerville and Henry Zeffman (BBC News)
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Man City claim innocence and confirm plan to appeal 'unsafe' guilty verdict
Relevant passage: City's statement, as printed in the article
About this source
The Standard's report on City's response, printing the club's statement in full. It matches the BBC Sport copy of the statement.
- Author
- Alex Young, The Standard
- Published
- Accessed
Official statement
Premier League Statement: Manchester City FC
Relevant passage: Statement, quotation from Richard Masters and Notes to Editors
Excerpt
"The core decision establishes the facts of what happened at Manchester City during this period. It details how the club systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade."
About this source
The Premier League's statement of September 29, 2026 announcing the commission's findings, with a link to the redacted core decision. It summarizes the findings, gives a quotation from chief executive Richard Masters, says sanction will be decided at a separate private hearing and says City has until Friday, October 2 to appeal. The page shows a date but no time.
- Author
- Premier League
- Published
- Accessed
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Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Regulator says it can force Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners to sell if it finds them unfit; Carragher says they must sell up, and Burnham says he would be concerned to lose them
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/cases/manchester-city-abu-dhabi-owners-forced-sale-regulator
The Dispute Index. "Regulator says it can force Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners to sell if it finds them unfit; Carragher says they must sell up, and Burnham says he would be concerned to lose them". First published: 2026-11-15. Last updated: 2026-11-15. https://disputeindex.com/cases/manchester-city-abu-dhabi-owners-forced-sale-regulator