Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Mourinho Jokes City’s Financial Appeal Could Take Years
Manchester City is fighting a case about whether it followed the Premier League’s money rules.
A commission found the club guilty of many of the charges, but City says it did nothing wrong and has appealed.
Jose Mourinho was asked about the case and said he would rather laugh than treat it like a crisis.
He thinks the final answer could take a long time because there may be several appeals.
The appeal hearing will be held in private.
The article says it is not yet clear when any punishment might happen.
Meanwhile, City were top of the league with 15 points from five matches.
Jose Mourinho said he would rather laugh about Manchester City’s legal dispute than treat it as a crisis.
An independent commission found City guilty of charges concerning Premier League financial rules from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
The commission also found City guilty of three of four charges related to failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Manchester City denies wrongdoing and has appealed; the appeal will be heard privately.
Mourinho said further appeals could delay a final verdict, while City were top of the league with 15 points from five matches.
- Who
- Jose Mourinho and Manchester City; the Premier League brought the charges.
- What
- Mourinho commented on City’s appeal after an independent commission found the club guilty of financial-rule breaches and related non-cooperation charges.
- When
- The charges cover the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons; Mourinho’s comments were reported during the current appeal process.
- Where
- The case concerns the Premier League; the appeal hearing will be held in private.
- Why
- Manchester City is appealing the commission’s findings, which concern alleged financial-rule breaches and failure to cooperate.
Premier League and Commission Findings
Manchester City’s Position
Financial-rule charges
Premier League and Commission Findings
The commission found City guilty of all charges linked to financial rules, and the Premier League alleged sham commercial agreements inflated revenue and understated costs.
Manchester City’s Position
Manchester City denies wrongdoing and is contesting the findings through an appeal.
Investigation cooperation
Premier League and Commission Findings
The commission found City guilty of three of four charges for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Manchester City’s Position
City has denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal against the verdict.
- Commission findings
- City was found guilty of all charges linked to financial rules and three of four charges of failing to cooperate.
- Period covered
- 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons.
- City’s response
- The club denies wrongdoing and has appealed.
- Appeal hearing
- It will be heard in private.
- Premier League allegation
- The league said sham commercial agreements inflated revenue and understated costs by more than £900 million ($1.19 billion).
- City’s league position
- The article reported City top with 15 points from five matches.
- Mourinho’s comment
- He said he would rather laugh about the case and suggested appeals could prolong the process.