Alex Goodchild comments in The Athletic on the reported Manchester City decision

Sports Associate Alex Goodchild was invited to comment on reports that Manchester City have been found guilty on almost all of the charges relating to breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.  Alex examined the avenues of any appeal, the standard of review and the limitations of any subsequent Rule X arbitration challenge.

Alex’s comments were published by The Athletic on 25 September 2026. You can read the full article here.

“Unless it can successfully argue otherwise, the appeal would operate as a review of the first instance proceedings, not a full rehearing.”

He adds, “And given the exceptional factual scale of the case, with the original hearing spanning 12 weeks and covering nine seasons of evidence, it is hard to see the Appeal Board granting leave to adduce fresh evidence.”

He goes on, “If the appeal fails, the likely only remaining avenue would be an arbitration challenge on very limited grounds – such as the decision being ultra vires, tainted by bad faith, arising from serious procedural error or a perverse interpretation of the law, or irrational – each of which carries a very high bar. Subject to narrow exceptions, that tribunal’s decision would be final.”