Story perspectives

Man City guilty ruling blocks Guardiola England talks

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 11:57 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

England FA Misses Guardiola

England FA lost chance to appoint Pep Guardiola as manager after City scandal.
Independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all Premier League breaches from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
Commission said City used sham contracts to hide more than £830 million of funding.
Manchester City must appeal by 2 October 2026 under league rules.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague reported the 2024 Guardiola-England deal collapsed, prompting FA to consider Thomas Tuchel.

Summary

Burnham Faces Disclosure

Appeal board can dismiss, uphold or modify sanctions, with a final ruling.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced Liberal Democrat demands to disclose meetings with ADUG and Etihad hospitality.
Treasury Committee chair Meg Hillier wrote to HMRC requesting its response to the commission’s findings.
Etihad Airways announced it is seeking legal advice after rejecting involvement in alleged sham deals.

History

Historical Context

In 2006-07 the Premier League exposed a third-party ownership scandal when West Ham fielded Carlos Tevez, leading Sheffield United to win a £30 million arbitration award and the league to fine West Ham £5.5 million. The 2024 independent commission’s finding that Manchester City concealed over £830 million in sham contracts revives those earlier governance battles, prompting the FA and government to tighten financial-fair-play rules.

1 of 3

England FA Misses Guardiola

England FA lost chance to appoint Pep Guardiola as manager after City scandal.
Independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all Premier League breaches from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
Commission said City used sham contracts to hide more than £830 million of funding.
Manchester City must appeal by 2 October 2026 under league rules.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague reported the 2024 Guardiola-England deal collapsed, prompting FA to consider Thomas Tuchel.

1 / 3