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Update, October 5: Manchester City confirmed on Friday that they lodged their appeal at 7pm on Thursday, October 1, a day before the deadline. The article below was published before that confirmation.

Manchester City's deadline to appeal against the independent commission's guilty verdict expires today, Friday, October 2. In the three days since the findings were published, the fallout has spread from the boardroom to sponsors, rival clubs and even former managers.

Guardiola: 'We will get through this together'

Pep Guardiola, City's manager from 2016 to 2026, posted a message of support on social media on Wednesday. He said he was behind the club, its owner, chairman, chief executive Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, current manager Enzo Maresca and the supporters, adding that they would get through this together.

Klopp strikes a different tone

Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side finished a point behind City in both 2018-19 and 2021-22, was asked about the verdict at a Germany press conference. In 2024, asked about the possibility of City being stripped of titles, he had joked that he would join any bus parade. This time he was far more measured.

Now Germany's head coach, Klopp told reporters he had huge respect for Guardiola and the football City played during their rivalry, and that any sanctions were nothing to do with him. He said he expected an appeal to take a long time and that he was not interested in becoming champion a few more times.

Sponsors, rivals and regulators

According to Sky Sports, the verdict has triggered a range of reactions:

City's principal sponsor, Etihad Airways, is considering legal action against the Premier League.
Several Premier League clubs have begun working with lawyers on the possibility of bringing their own legal claims against City.
The Independent Football Regulator has reiterated that it has powers to assess the suitability of club owners.
Other City sponsors, including Puma, Revolut, BYD and Kellogg's, told Sky Sports News they would not comment while the process continues.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has called for City to be stripped of the titles won during the period in question and for the club's ownership to be removed. Hull City owner Acun Ilicali also said City should face a big punishment if they cannot prove their innocence.

How the appeal will work

City have repeatedly said they will appeal, arguing that the ruling contains clear errors of law, principle and fact.

Under Premier League rules, an appeal is heard by a new three-person commission, whose members are chosen by Sir Gary Hickinbottom, chair of the league's judicial panel, according to The Independent. Sky Sports reports that the appeal hearing can last no more than five days, the panel then has 30 days to reach a decision, and the whole process must be completed within 12 weeks of the appeal being filed.

City cannot take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The question of punishment, which could range from fines and points deductions to transfer bans or expulsion, will be decided separately at a further hearing before the original commission.

Back on the pitch

Amid all this, City return to Premier League action after the international break with a trip to Liverpool on October 11. If the appeal timetable holds, a final answer on the verdict could arrive before the end of the year, although the sanctions process may take longer.

Photo: Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0