Manchester City have until Friday to lodge an appeal against the guilty verdict handed down in their case with the Premier League and have stated publicly they intend to do so.
City's guilt in relation to "all charges related to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules" between 2009 and 2018 was detailed in a bombshell statement from the Premier League on Tuesday along with an accompanying written judgement from the independent commission which heard the case.
The Premier League said the "issue of sanction will be addressed separately in a further hearing with the independent commission."
In a statement issued on Tuesday, City said they will appeal the verdict.
It read: "Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe."
Supporters' group The Citizens Trust issued a statement on Wednesday which read: "The Citizens Trust has read both the Premier League's statement on the verdict which finds Manchester City guilty of the majority of the charges, and the club's statement in rebuttal that reiterates their innocence and intent to appeal.
"We are still digesting the full findings of the independent commission, released by the PL in redcated format, and we encourage Blues to do the same.
"Within an hour of the verdict dropping, we had an emergency meeting with the Football Supporters' Association to assist us as we begin to consider our next steps and what this means for the Trust, the City fanbase and our club going forwar as we await fnal outcomes of any sanctions and appeal.
"We will also be engaging with our members and the winder fanbase as soon as possible. This means consulting the membership, gauging opinion and holding an accessible meeting in Manchester city centre in the near future.
"We all need to look out for each other as supporters in these uncertain times ahead. We need to be strong, together."
In a video message sent out to club employees after the publication of the verdict, CEO Ferran Soriano reiterated City's intention to fight on.
"The whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation," Soriano said.
"That the owner's personal money was somehow and secretly put into the club via some sponsors from Abu Dhabi. This is just not true.
"Our lawyers will now file an appeal that sets out that the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe."
City have the right to appeal under Premier League rules, although the competition's statement on Tuesday made clear that they want a quick resolution after initially announcing charges against City in February 2023.
"The club has the right to appeal the independent Commission's findings and has until Friday, October 2 to exercise that right," the Premier League said in their lengthy statement on Tuesday. "The Premier League Board's intention is that the full process (including any appeals and publication of relevant decisions) is concluded as soon as possible."
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