IFR says it can force Manchester City owners to sell if guilty verdict upheld
Chair David Kogan said the regulator could order Sheikh Mansour to sell the club if the appeal fails.
By Felo News Desk · Published
David Kogan, chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), told the Rest Is Football podcast that the watchdog has “absolute power” to force Manchester City’s owners to sell the club if the guilty verdict against the club is upheld.
What happened
An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of setting up “sham” commercial arrangements that inflated revenues or reduced costs by more than £900 million across nine seasons and of making “concerted efforts” to stop and frustrate the Premier League’s investigation. The club lodged an appeal, claiming the verdict contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact.
What the reports add
Both Independent articles and The Guardian report the same findings of the commission and the same statement from Kogan about the regulator’s powers. The Independent’s two pieces repeat the same text, while The Guardian adds Kogan’s exact wording: “We have the power to ask an owner to step away from a club if we believe that they run a club in a way that is neither fit, fair or done with propriety.”
What was said
David Kogan told the Rest Is Football podcast that it was premature to discuss any action while the appeal is ongoing, but confirmed the IFR could force a sale if deemed appropriate. He said, “We have the power to ask an owner to step away from a club if we believe that they run a club in a way that is neither fit, fair or done with propriety.” (The Guardian)
How it came about
The verdict follows a series of investigations into Manchester City’s financial practices. Earlier Felo News coverage noted former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s concern about the impact of a potential loss of ownership (Burnham warned of impact), former player Micah Richards’s devastation at the Premier League’s finding (Richards reaction), and manager Enzo Maresca’s cryptic response (Maresca reply). The regulator’s statement adds a possible enforcement tool that could reshape the club’s ownership if the appeal fails.
Key facts
- The Independent Football Regulator says it can force Manchester City’s owners to sell the club if the guilty verdict is upheld. (theguardian.com)
- An independent commission found City used sham commercial arrangements to inflate revenues or reduce costs by over £900 million across nine seasons. (independent.co.uk)
- Manchester City has lodged an appeal against the commission’s verdict. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-09-26 — Manchester City found guilty on almost all 115 financial rule breaches.
- 2026-09-30 — Andy Burnham expressed concern over potential loss of owners.
- 2026-10-09 — Enzo Maresca scheduled press conference ahead of Liverpool clash.
