Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has told a meeting of fellow club chiefs their fight against the Premier League could take years to conclude, Sky News understands.
Mr Soriano declined to answer our questions about the case as he left a private meeting of the executive board of the European Football Clubs' body in Copenhagen.
But inside the room, sources say Mr Soriano brought up the case against City, referencing the interest of other clubs - without directly mentioning the verdict of guilt over financial wrongdoing for years.
Mr Soriano is understood to have referenced how it's been eight years since the allegations of misconduct were first made and how it will take a lot more time for a conclusion.
Sources say he expressed a determination to fight the case - with City able to appeal while there is a separate process that will determine sanctions.
The Premier League and City have not denied that the Abu Dhabi-funded club has been found guilty of the majority of charges which were first brought against them in 2023.
Instead, City has alluded to the appeal and sanctioning process to come in statements.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement on Saturday: "The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."
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On Friday, it was reported that 114 out of 115 charges against City relating alleged breaches of financial rules had been found to have been proven.
City were accused in 2023 of failing to provide accurate financial information over a nine-year period, and failing to co-operate with Premier League investigations, following a leak of club documents in 2018.
The club could now face the biggest punishment in English football history.
City have been the dominant force in football since 2012, with its squads - featuring top players including Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland - winning eight Premier League titles alongside other domestic titles and the Champions League in 2023.
(c) Sky News 2026: Manchester City boss says fight against Premier League could take years to conclude, Sky New
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