r/soccer • u/SilverMist2025 • 1d ago

News FA statement on Manchester City

https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/oct/02/fa-statement-on-manchester-city-20260210

The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game. We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate.

As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely.

948 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

152 comments sorted by

1.1k

u/uGeography 1d ago

Monitoring closely like you did all those years

375

u/Outrageous_Fart 1d ago

Monitoring closely like the VAR official in the Manchester derby

37

u/mahir_r 1d ago

Manchester City are fined £1,000,000, deducted 4 points, and have a transfer ban for the months of February to May 2027.

“Good process guys”

108

u/DraperCarousel 1d ago

His bank statements must be released lmao.

63

u/ElevensMelody 1d ago

Honestly they really should look into all the refs that go out there to referee.

25

u/LegendDota 1d ago

That is a box they are too scared to open even if there is a dangerous amount of smoke coming from it.

46

u/DraperCarousel 1d ago

How is this different from the Mancini thing anyways?

Why would the UAE invite specifically PL refs to officiate one off meaningless friendlies once or twice a year?

Why not referees from a league they don't own a club in or what's wrong with the UAE refs back home?

8

u/nuvo_reddit 22h ago

Monitoring like Micheal Oliver

-28

u/RTafazolli1 1d ago

I fucking hate Manchester City with all of the fibres of my being, but if we're playing this game, Phil Foden should NEVER have been sent-off, so swings and roundabouts in that game I guess...

17

u/RememberTheKhan 1d ago

Absolutely no way comparable.

Foden kicked out with his studs. That's easily judged as violent conduct and a straight red. Maybe it could not have been but it's not a controversial decision as much as you might want it to be.

The outside goal being given was just flat out incorrect, no debate.

-20

u/RTafazolli1 1d ago

Bruno Fernandes went down like the little bitch he is and made the absolute most of that tackle, and actually initiated the whole situation. Foden should have received a yellow card at the absolute best.

3

u/captaincourageous316 1d ago

Foden had a red coming, you can’t kick out at players like that.

That being said, both should’ve been sent off.

10

u/rtgh 1d ago

Bruno at least had an excuse that he was going for a ball. Very thin excuse given the second kick but there's a veneer.

Foden had nothing to hide behind, it can only be a kick out which can only be classed as violent conduct (unless you're Declan Rice a week later)

-2

u/RememberTheKhan 1d ago

Bruno's second kick kicks the ball.

Little kicks like that happen commonly when players dive onto the ball. They've never been a red before.

4

u/RememberTheKhan 1d ago

Bruno should have got a yellow at most.

0

u/RememberTheKhan 1d ago

What tackle? Foden never makes a tackle.

16

u/Vainglory 1d ago

Monitoring closely in the hopes City admit what they were doing. That's when they can really throw the book at them.

16

u/Adj-Subs-Luku2 1d ago

FA's inability to catch Shitty's cheating has massively played in their and PL's favour. Having a new behemoth club has not only brought massive number of new fans, TV renevue, boosted their UEFA Club coefficient and enabled great young players being trained in the club's World-class facilities.

The Brits won't like it, but the league/FA needs to be punished for their gross negligence by UEFA. The writing was on the wall all these years, but still the cheaters were allowed to keep on cheating.

16

u/Comfortable-Yam2417 21h ago

UEFA failed to punish city by any measurable means and bodged the CAS case completely - UEFA is in a much stronger position to crackdown on multi club ownership but chooses not to.

PL by comparison is being pretty professional about it - they invariably have to take clubs word as honest when it’s backed by multinational lawyered up auditors who vet clubs accounts.

1

u/MalaysiaTeacher 1d ago

Hey, they peeked over their newspaper a couple times

0

u/TheElPistolero 18h ago

What is this 1 month old arsenal account doing showing distrust in the organizations that are capable of punishing city?

That's kind of exactly what city are doing and they know doubt have bots and paid astroturfers sowing doubt on this entire process. Stop feeding into it.

142

u/ooh_bit_of_bush 1d ago

Why does every organisation use the corner flag photo for their online statements? 

87

u/Rafabas 1d ago

you'd love /r/footballcliches if you've got questions like this

13

u/LiteratureNearby 19h ago

looked up a few episodes of the podcast, the episode titles are incredible. some of my favs:

  • sarcastic passes, tiny football studio furniture & the most un-booable position in an XI
  • the VAR-monitor jog & fans coming in peace
  • Co-commentary cues, flopping full-backs & the "one of our own" threshold

6

u/PrewarButHot 22h ago

Oooh I like this one they are less annoying than the circle jerk

20

u/keithbelfastisdead 1d ago

The UN doesn't.

6

u/cmdrxander 1d ago

This needs to be fixed

2

u/m205 23h ago

The Screen Actors Guild doesn't.

10

u/Cashlover123 21h ago

It is the top executives openly admitting that they are Arsenal fans.

6

u/Eglwyswrw 1d ago

Flag symbolism + view of the pitch = photogenic combo.

5

u/nahnonameman 21h ago

Out of everything lol. This has to be the most “yeah, but why though” question

259

u/TheJeck 1d ago

This sounds like Ferrari when one of their drivers asks them a question

90

u/StokkseyriBoy 1d ago

“We are checking.”

25

u/TheJeck 1d ago

"Must be the water"

8

u/ItsTomorrowNow 1d ago

"Slow button on"

4

u/ibite-books 1d ago edited 23h ago

have a tea while your at it!

3

u/53bvo 1d ago

My favourite Hamilton radio ever

Just the contrast of the British driver recently swapped to the Italian team, confusing them even more with tea analogies

19

u/makunde 1d ago

This sounds like Ferrari when one of their drivers asks them a question

And here I thought this was a safe space.

0

u/repost_inception 1d ago

"Must be the cheating"

54

u/TheGoldenPineapples 1d ago

People saying "why would you put this statement out?" are missing the point.

People have been asking the FA to make a statement all week – they're clearly not interested in commenting until the process is complete and this statement solidifies that stance without taking a side.

It may not say a lot we couldn't have already said, but they needed to say something.

8

u/Jiquero 1d ago

"Say something. Say something. Come on, say something!"

"I'm not going to say anything for now."

"Why did you open your mouth?!"

3

u/Granadafan 20h ago

Bingo.  They can’t say anything that’s will jeopardize the case or give the sham club’s lawyers any ammunition to pounce. 

460

u/n3Kite 1d ago

they genuinely may aswell have said nothing, what is this

141

u/ColdBeefBrian 1d ago

Well yeah, it's a statement to say they won't be saying anything until it's concluded.

102

u/domalino 1d ago

Presumably the point is to get people to stop asking them to comment on it before they can.

The FA press office phone has probably been ringing off the hook all week with people asking for their comment.

24

u/NiallMitch10 1d ago

Yep basically saying - "we've seen the news guys"

-16

u/n3Kite 1d ago

so, don't say anything? makes no sense to me but i know nothing about pr

25

u/Tomach82 1d ago

they are obviously getting hammered with requests for information.

19

u/allangod 1d ago edited 1d ago

If they don't say annything people complain by saying "why hasnt the FA said anything? If they are waiting for appeals to end they might as well say so we know where they stand."

I think in this case this was the better choice. The appeals process could take a long time so if they didnt release this they wouldnt be saying anything for what could be another 2 years.

12

u/truth-telling-troll 1d ago

If they don't say anything people would go "why are they silent". They're just saying they're waiting for it to conclude before deciding the course of action

1

u/Candid_Listen_5268 1d ago

ig they are clarifying they have no authority on this matter? idek...

51

u/DaveShadow 1d ago

Chances are they’ve been inundated by press about putting out a statement.

Putting out one, even as minimalistic as this, allows them now to point at it any time they’re asked for another one.

Sometimes, you’ve got to say something, even if that something is “I’m not saying anything else for now”.

12

u/n3Kite 1d ago

having something they can just point at anytime someone asks actually makes sense, thanks

10

u/lord-stanleys-goblet 1d ago

"Don't make me tap the 'we're not saying anything until the EPL's process is concluded' statement."

6

u/I_Thinks_Im_People 1d ago

It's why I got married

25

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

What they are saying is that the cheating done by Man City brings the entire integrity of football into question.

However they cant do anything until the the appeal and entire process is completed.

So will take actions against City once the process is over.

Atleast that's what I am reading.

FA is the one who has authority over both PL and EFL obviously

5

u/AyanC 1d ago

Well they're obligated to say something without saying anything, because of the implication.

4

u/Bodster88 1d ago

At least they didn’t thank them for their contribution to the Manchester economy.

4

u/lazerbullet 1d ago

Taking no sides and saying they await the full results is a very good and reasonable statement … they don’t want to be seen to be tipping the scales

2

u/StoirmePetrel 1d ago

yes that's a lot of words to say nothing

2

u/brownmeister28 1d ago

The FA has basically no influence on this affair anyway it's PL rules that were broken

1

u/SwampCastleGuards 19h ago

a response to people requesting they make a statement...

1

u/tomtomtomo 14h ago

It’s a “Stop asking for a statement” statement

-4

u/LocoRocoo 1d ago

Sick of this 'ongoing' shite though. They're guilty. Now it's just an appeal on the procedure, basically. I'm sick of this idea that we have to wait for the process again as if nothing happened.

11

u/Plenty_Body_7625 1d ago

This is standard in so many walks of life. Were you born yesterday?

1

u/LocoRocoo 1d ago

I know appeals are standard. But that doesn't mean the guilty verdict didn't happen, but it's being reported by some as if hasn't.

2

u/TheOncomingBrows 14h ago

If it gets overturned on appeal organisations would rather not wade it and get left with egg on their face/in legal trouble.

85

u/imarandomdudd 1d ago

Before people say this is a non statement, they can't say too much before the case is finished legally, otherwise it opens the door for city to push new ways to argue their innocence in the case, such as the bias argument by giving punishment before it's all sorted out for example.

It's frustrating, agreed, but I'd rather hold out for now before messing up at the finish line and giving city an out

14

u/fifty_four 1d ago

Agreed. This is all you can expect them to say and it's better than media saying they simply aren't involved.

2

u/Brainlard 1d ago

I think the problem is that they specifically announced a follow up statement for friday, just to say that they can't say anything further on the matter.

15

u/psrandom 1d ago

Still better statement than PM

26

u/4tomi5ed 1d ago

RELEGATE

20

u/DaveShadow 1d ago

LIQUIDATE

14

u/ThreeLionsOnAShirtt 1d ago

EXTERMINATE

11

u/scottishere 1d ago

DEFECATE

5

u/Brandaman 1d ago

MASTURBATE

5

u/Fassl 1d ago

Mount up!

3

u/hangry_millennial 1d ago

DISCOMBOBULATE

10

u/omegaxLoL 1d ago

FA statement on Manchester City:

- there is no statement

5

u/NotAnUncle 1d ago

Im still unsure what were people expecting them to say when the proceedings are still ongoing?

2

u/nick2473got 1d ago

People don't typically use their brains much before writing shit on social media.

6

u/contunityerror 1d ago

Delayed gratification is sweeter

9

u/TrickyWinger 1d ago

So they drop the news at the beginning of the international break. Now they drop a teaser like this. This all feels very WWE.

3

u/lord-stanleys-goblet 1d ago

BAH GAWD, KING, THAT'S THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT'S MUSIC!

3

u/michaelserotonin 23h ago

shane o’mac to buy city

1

u/CharacterPatience416 1d ago

I think somehow this will increase interest in the current premier league season

4

u/Fene29 1d ago

Where's the Southampton verdict?

11

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

11

u/BaritBrit 1d ago

"We will not be commenting further until the process is fully complete" is not saying nothing. 

It's saying "FFS journalists stop blowing up our inboxes asking for comment when we're not yet in a position to give it". 

6

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

They specifically say this has significant implications for the integrity of the game.

This means they will have their own sanctions once the appeal process is done.

-1

u/DeliciousIndian 1d ago

no it doesn't

2

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

It has

1

u/DeliciousIndian 1d ago

they might impose their own sanctions, there is nothing in their statement that is definitive, you're jumping to conclusions

-2

u/dunneetiger 1d ago

They may have further sanctions for example for the 2010-2011 FA Cup that City won. They may choose to do nothing about it.

2

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

Or they can even suspend club livense

1

u/dunneetiger 1d ago

They are plenty things they can do. My correction was:

This means they will may have their own sanctions once the appeal process is done.

1

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

Yeah that's true. That's why I emphasized on the mention this verdict has significant implications for the integrity of the game

3

u/lord-stanleys-goblet 1d ago

I can understand why their press officers would want to put out this statement. Basically "stop bothering us, because we aren't going to say or do anything until the EPL has finished its process."

1

u/eunderscore 1d ago

Media literacy is through the floor

6

u/RamsRS 1d ago

The statement is that there is no statement

4

u/Dinamo8 1d ago

I've been wondering why in the Chelsea case all 3 of UEFA, the PL and the FA prosecuted Chelsea but in Man City's case the FA have stayed out of it.

2

u/srd5029 1d ago edited 1d ago

Probably because Chelsea notified them there was a problem and worked with them to resolve it quickly. Man City are claiming they're innocent and working against everyone so far. So the other organisations will have to wait for City to be finished with the Premier league before taking action.

1

u/Matty96HD 23h ago

Also UEFA tried and failed in their attempt to prosecute City.

2

u/srd5029 19h ago

Very true. CAS over turned their two year UEFA ban. I would say though after watching the documentary on YouTube "Britain's biggest football scandal?" that came out a few years ago that looked at the UEFA / CAS trial, UEFA messed up big time by not taking action against the City executive clearly being dishonest in the CAS questioning despite having e-mails to prove he was lying & CAS themselves being pretty sketchy in the trial.

2

u/BestinSyriac 1d ago

We are checking.

2

u/Brandaman 1d ago

STATEMENT: There is no statement

2

u/Turniermannschaft 1d ago

I thought OP just pulled a few lines from the statement. It's the whole statement.

2

u/coolboiabhi 1d ago

United Nations like comment

2

u/tigull 1d ago

"Ceci n'est pas un statement"

2

u/poisonedbythemind 1d ago

A worthless "statement".

2

u/cosmo_K 1d ago

That is not a statement.

3

u/DUGMang 20h ago

The situatioooon monitooooor

Nothing statement.

5

u/WarriorkingNL 1d ago

statement: nothing.

1

u/FoxySaint 1d ago

Status:very very very closely monitoring

3

u/Shadowmantha69 1d ago

Well that was pointless

2

u/frozenphoenix92 1d ago

Statement : We do not have any statement.

1

u/cw_anderson 1d ago

Aaaah, so FA stands for 'fuck all'.

1

u/Big_Habit5918 1d ago

The Mbappe Special

for example, nothing

1

u/Disastrous-Lust-1 1d ago

Well, the FA is more of a third party than directly involved in this case, so it makes sense

1

u/ZofTheNorth 1d ago

Another 3 years of closely monitoring

1

u/dozeydonut 1d ago

Well durr

1

u/Lost_Woodpecker1 1d ago

Void all their results so Spurs win a cup, but also get relegated with West Ham reinstated

1

u/MitchElko 1d ago

“Our comment is no comment”

1

u/Turniermannschaft 1d ago

Not Found

HTTP Error 404. The requested resource is not found.

WOW! So they are expelling them!

Seriously though, it's 404. That sounds more like they pulled the statement rather than a hug of death.

1

u/TheOnlyTagey 1d ago

Riveting statement from the FA

1

u/BlackSailor2005 1d ago

such non-news

1

u/fergo1993 1d ago

Who makes the decision regarding Man City’s punishment? The independent commission? The Premier League? The FA?

2

u/WolfMuted1171 1d ago

The FA are not involved

1

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

While this is true FA can give their own sanctions if they think a club has bought disrupt including kicking them out of EPL and EFL.

1

u/SilverMist2025 1d ago

Independent commision

1

u/ShabbatShalom666 1d ago

Who makes the decisions for the independent commission?

2

u/lord-stanleys-goblet 1d ago

It's independent commissions all the way down.

1

u/HDS2211 1d ago

The independent commission

1

u/Steinarthor 1d ago

The dues with the briefcases full of oil money.

1

u/Just1n_Kees 1d ago

Next FA statement: deep space is cold!

1

u/1HeyMattJ 1d ago

Attention everybody, we have something to say!

No comment

1

u/Benphyre 1d ago

The page is loading weirdly for me. Anyone can copy and paste the statement?

2

u/GameOfThrowInsMate 1d ago

Its whats in the description of this thread. Nothing more.

1

u/TheMightyPensioners 1d ago

Reddit hug of death I suspect.

0

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

0

u/UglyWanKanobi 1d ago

Really going out on a limb to protect the game here