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FA says guilty verdict has "significant implications for integrity of the game"
The Football Association said the verdict raises major integrity concerns as Manchester City prepares an appeal and the Premier League weighs sanctions after a nine-year breach case.
An independent commission found Manchester City Football Club guilty of all charges relating to financial regulation breaches between 2009 and 2018, according to a report released earlier this week.
The charges allege City "arranged 'sham' commercial deals with a number of its sponsors during the period", artificially inflating revenue by more than £900million to reduce costs.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the decision "establishes the facts" of systematic breaches, while Manchester City maintains it is innocent and possesses "irrefutable evidence" supporting its position.
The Football Association stated the decision has "significant implications for the integrity of the game", adding that English football's governing body is "carefully considering the decision and its implications".
Manchester City must lodge an appeal by today, Friday, October 2, after confirming plans to challenge the verdict, a process that could potentially reach the High Court.