Ferran Soriano tells staff the Premier League case "is based on a single false accusation"
Ferran SorianoManchester City chief executive, in an internal video message to staff
In an internal video to staff on September 29, 2026, City chief executive Ferran Soriano said the "whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation," that the owner's personal money was somehow and secretly put into the club through Abu Dhabi sponsors, and that "This is just not true." He said bank statements, money transfers and witnesses show "the money did not come from the owner," and that the commission "has issued an opinion that supports the Premier League's conspiracy theory" that reaches "a conclusion that is clearly wrong."
Responding to
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano said in a video to staff on September 29, 2026 that the Premier League case against the club "is based on a single false accusation" that the owner's personal money was somehow and secretly put into the club through sponsors from Abu Dhabi, and that bank statements, money transfers and witnesses show "the money did not come from the owner."
“This has gone on for so long that it's important to remind ourselves that the whole Premier League case against us is based 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. This is just not true. Irrefutable evidence has been provided to the Premier League Commission that shows that it could not happen and that it did not happen. This includes bank statements, money transfers, witnesses and everything necessary to categorically demonstrate the money did not come from the owner. Every other false charge that has been thrown at us and aggressively marketed and promoted comes from that simple, central and completely false accusation. Surprisingly for us and for our lawyers, after nearly two years, the Premier League Commission has issued an opinion that supports the Premier League's conspiracy theory. To do so, the opinion had to actually ignore the extensive evidence provided by the club in order to reach a conclusion that is clearly wrong.”
Original post
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Did Manchester City use 'sham' sponsorships to circumvent Premier League financial rules, as an independent commission found and the club denies?
On September 29, 2026, the Premier League published the redacted core decision of an independent commission that heard its charges against Manchester City. The commission found that between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons City arranged sponsorship contracts that it described as "shams" with a number of Abu Dhabi sponsors, as part of what it called a disguised funding scheme in which the club's owner, Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), paid most of the recorded fees. It found that the club "clearly intended to circumvent the PL Rules." It found all of the financial-rule charges proven and most of the co-operation charges proven. City says it is innocent, that "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists" in support of its positions, and that the opinion is unsafe. It says it will appeal, and the deadline is October 2. The sanction has not been decided. As of October 1, 2026, this is a first-instance decision that an Appeal Board has not reviewed on the merits. The disputed question is whether City used sponsorship contracts that the commission described as shams, and related arrangements, to misstate its finances and circumvent the Premier League's financial rules.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
A public copy of the internal video that City's chief executive sent to staff on the evening of September 29, 2026. City did not publish it, and no outlet or City has said it is not authentic. The post text carries a transcript, which differs in small ways from the audio. The quotation follows the spoken words, not the post's transcript.
Reporting
About this source
The Guardian's report on Soriano's video, quoting three passages of it. The headline paraphrases the video; Soriano's own words are the Premier League's 'conspiracy theory' in a sentence about the Premier League's case.
Before the quotation
The commission found that ADUG, which owned the club, paid most of the recorded fees from Abu Dhabi sponsors, and rejected as untrue City's explanation that the sponsors were always liable for the full fees and sometimes received financial assistance from the Abu Dhabi government. The Premier League published the decision earlier on September 29, 2026. Soriano opened the video by saying a document with an opinion of the commission had been made public.
After the quotation
Soriano went on to say that the club's lawyers will file an appeal, that City was ruled against in 2020 on many of the same issues and won at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and that the club will seek compensation from any party that tries to damage it. The 2020 case was a different proceeding under UEFA's rules. The video was not published by the club; it circulated publicly that evening. As of October 1, 2026, no formal lodging of the appeal had been reported.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to the proposition that City used sponsorship contracts the commission described as shams, and related arrangements, to misstate its finances and circumvent the Premier League's financial rules, as the commission found, Soriano calls the central accusation false ("This is just not true") and the commission's conclusion "clearly wrong." That is a flat rejection of the finding, so we used Denied. The closest competing label is Challenges the characterization, because he calls the league's case a "conspiracy theory" and the decision an "opinion," but he goes beyond disputing labels and says the owner's money did not enter the club.
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More from this case
Read the full caseGary Neville says "the biggest consequence would be the removal of the owners" after the commission's decision
“The biggest consequence would be the removal of the owners. That is the only consequence, if I was Manchester City, that I would be worried about. And as a fan of Manchester City, if you wanted to keep the investment that you've currently got, that would be the one that I would be most concerned. However, if you're in football and you're thinking about a consequence, what can be more serious than industrial-level financial doping that we've seen and they've been found guilty of?”Read statement
Etihad Airways says it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication" that it was involved in improper arrangements
Etihad Airways
“Etihad Airways has reviewed the Premier League commission's published opinion relating to the disciplinary proceedings involving Manchester City, together with the Premier League's public communication of its findings. Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements. The Premier League's public communication of the commission's findings, following a period of selective leaks and reporting, has further created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings. At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission's opinion. Etihad was therefore never given the opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, to provide relevant information, or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline. Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly. The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision. The Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings have been presented. Etihad is immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The Etihad name has been proudly carried by the club and its stadium for many years, as part of a partnership that has connected us with millions of supporters around the world. Our commitment to Manchester City, its supporters and our shared partnership remains strong. We stand with the club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as Manchester City challenges the commission's conclusions through the processes available to it. Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests.”Read statement
IFR chair David Kogan says the decision "raises serious issues" and the regulator will "await further developments"
“The independent commission’s decision raises serious issues. The IFR has powers to assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals. This includes taking account of findings made by the Leagues. However, as the proceedings remain ongoing between Manchester City and the Premier League we will await further developments. We hope it can be resolved quickly for the sake of fans. For now, we have no further comment.”Read statement
Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
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- Ferran Soriano tells staff the Premier League case "is based on a single false accusation"
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4009-in-an-internal-video-to-staff-on-september
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Ferran Soriano tells staff the Premier League case "is based on a single false accusation"". First published: 2026-10-01. Last updated: 2026-10-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/4009-in-an-internal-video-to-staff-on-september