Premier League Daily Report - 2026-09-26: Manchester City face appeal after reported guilty verdict

Manchester City were reportedly found guilty of 114 of the Premier League’s 115 financial-rule charges on Friday. The charges cover alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, including claims concerning financial information, sponsorship arrangements and payments in player and manager contracts. The club has consistently denied wrongdoing and said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed. Possible sanctions include a fine, points deduction, title removals or expulsion from the division, although no punishment has been announced. City are expected to appeal the independent panel’s findings, meaning the case remains unresolved despite the reported verdict.

The potential consequences extend beyond City’s current position and could affect the historical record of the Premier League. Clubs that finished behind City during the period under investigation may consider compensation claims if the findings are upheld, while questions have also been raised about whether titles could be retrospectively redistributed. Finance expert Kieran Maguire told TalkTV that a points deduction was the most likely outcome, citing previous sanctions imposed on Everton and Nottingham Forest. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called for a swift conclusion, saying football supporters needed confidence that the rules were applied fairly.

The Premier League was set to join Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A in calling for urgent reform of FIFA’s governance. The leagues planned a joint statement demanding greater consultation on major decisions, particularly those affecting the international calendar, alongside stronger independent oversight and a more meaningful role for domestic competitions. Their intervention followed growing opposition to what they described as FIFA’s expansion of the football calendar. The European Leagues association has also filed a legal complaint with the European Union over FIFA’s handling of the International Match Calendar.

The statement was expected to intensify pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although the leagues were not reported to have directly demanded his resignation. A separate account said the organisations criticised FIFA’s “relentless expansionism” and argued that football’s foundations had been threatened by a governance problem. Expanded international tournaments and the Club World Cup have heightened domestic leagues’ concerns about fixture congestion, player workload and the authority of competitions that run the weekly club game. The Premier League’s involvement gave the challenge added weight because of its financial and global influence.

Manchester United had reportedly made Antonio Conte their leading managerial target if they decided to replace Michael Carrick. GiveMeSport said the club’s improved finish last season and more than £150 million spent during the summer had raised expectations, while the early campaign had created renewed pressure around the dugout. United had collected five points from their opening five Premier League matches and had already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, according to Daily Trust. Those results represented the club’s joint-worst start to a Premier League season, increasing scrutiny despite Carrick remaining in charge.

Reports about Conte were not universally aligned with the club’s immediate position. Daily Trust said United intended to give Carrick more time and that neither Conte nor former academy coach Kieran McKenna was currently being approached as a replacement. That leaves the situation dependent on results in the next few fixtures rather than an announced change. Conte’s reported availability as a preferred option nevertheless shows the scale of the pressure surrounding Carrick, while United’s summer spending means the board will be judged against expectations of a significant improvement from last season’s third-place finish.

Chelsea were reportedly among three Premier League clubs interested in signing Atlético Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente. Sports Mole, citing TEAMtalk, said Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were considering the 31-year-old as a possible right-back option. Llorente’s Atlético contract is due to expire in 2027, and the Spanish club were reportedly attempting to extend his terms. He had contributed 37 goals and 45 assists in 308 appearances for Atlético since joining them, while also featuring for Spain’s World Cup-winning squad before retiring from international football.

The report described the interest as exploratory rather than an agreed transfer or formal offer. Llorente’s versatility would appeal to clubs seeking experience across midfield and the right side of defence, but any move would depend on Atlético’s contract position and the player’s decision over his future. Manchester City’s reported involvement was said to be linked to the outcome of their appeal against the Premier League financial verdict, adding another layer of uncertainty to a potential three-club pursuit. Chelsea’s interest therefore remained a developing transfer story rather than a completed deal.