A new report has shone light on the specific details of Manchester City's argument, and particularly the club's 'irrefutable evidence' referred to by those at the Etihad Stadium throughout the process.
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In verdict that shook English football and dominated global headlines since its first release, Manchester City were found by an independent panel to have invested more than £900 million to swerve the league's financial rules.
That investment was in large part thanks to the club's ownership - Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), a private company owned by Sheikh Mansour - topping up sponsorship deals to a total of £830.69 million.
It is suggested by the Premier League and independent panel's verdict that such a ‘disguised funding’ process allowed Manchester City to illegally sign players that brought numerous major domestic honours to the football club.
Now, with Manchester City plotting an appeal, additional details have emerged regarding an action plan, and specifically the truth behind a term mentioned by the likes of chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO Ferran Soriano, and club statements over the last three years.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham has admitted he would be "concerned" about the prospect of losing Manchester City's ownership in light of the club's verdict issued by the Premier League.cityxtra.co.ukPrime Minister Andy Burnham Admits 'Concern' Over Prospect of Losing Man City Owners
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham has admitted he would be "concerned" about the prospect of losing Manchester City's ownership in light of the club's verdict issued by the Premier League.
Revealed: Manchester City's 'irrefutable evidence'
As revealed in a wide-ranging report from MailSport's Mike Keegan detailing Manchester City's plan to clear their name, ‘irrefutable evidence’ referred to throughout the process relates to government bank statements and witness statements presented at the hearing.
It is explained that such statements show money being transferred to sponsors from Abu Dhabi government accounts, which was then used by those same sponsors to pay Manchester City.
The original panel, however, found the club's explanation was ‘concocted well after the event in an attempt to obscure and conceal the realities of the disguised funding scheme’.
With regards to the level of such sponsorship deals, they are not in question, with rules on agreements being subject to a ‘fair market value’ assessment only coming into effect in 2021.
Manchester City have until Friday to lodge their appeal against the Premier League's verdict.
What is at the centre of City's argument in their appeal?
Further details from journalist Mike Keegan reveals that Manchester City’s argument is that monies were paid by the government, which owns sponsors, rather than the club’s owners Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) and as such, no rules were broken.
It is well-understood that sponsorship deals with government-funded companies are commonplace throughout the English top-flight, particularly in the case of airlines, and are not banned by the league and its rulebook.
Manchester City, when they enter into the planned appeal process, will argue that the Premier League case comes down to 'one simple question': did money used to fund the sponsorship deals in question come from sponsors, the sponsors’ owners (the Abu Dhabi government), or the club’s owners?
When will Enzo Maresca speak about the situation?
With Manchester City and most of football currently on an international break, Enzo Maresca's side have to wait several more days before returning to focus on events within the Premier League competition.
The Italian coach is, as such, not due to face questions from the media until Friday 9 October, with Maresca set preview City's visit to Anfield to take on Andoni Iraola's Liverpool.
Many are expecting the trip to Merseyside to be a fierce encounter in terms of atmosphere in light of the Premier League's verdict, and particularly given the history of the fixture as well as previous safety-related incidents at Anfield for Manchester City.
Enzo Maresca will also have fitness news to address when he faces the media next, with Nico O'Reilly having withdrawn from England international duty for further assessment on an injury he sustained prior to the Three Lions' meeting with Czech Republic.
Read the full insider report on Manchester City's plan to clear their name in the Premier League case by MailSport's Mike Keegan HERE.