Man City charges LIVE: Chairman granted 'immunity', punishment update and Andy Burnham statement

Hello and welcome to Mirror Football's Manchester City charges live blog for Thursday, October 1.

The Premier League announced earlier this week that City had been found guilty of 114 charges brought against them for financial breaches.

City responded by maintaining their innocence and have until Friday to launch an appeal, with the club expected to do so before the deadline.

It now remains to be seen what punishment is given to City, with reports claiming that chiefs at other football clubs want a sanction to be imposed before the end of the season.

Etihad, the main shirt sponsor for City, meanwhile, have also issued a statement in response saying they are "deeply concerned" by the Premier League's announcement. There are also concerns that City's Abu Dhabi owners could be stripped from the club, something Prime Minister Andy Burnham doesn't want to happen.

Elsewhere, former City chief Chris Bird has claimed his old club might have new evidence to prove their innocence. However, football finance expert Stefan Borson has refuted the claim, insisting that under Premier League rules, City cannot submit new evidence without the independent panel's permission.

Harry Kane says that full concentration in the England squad is on their next Nations League game after the guilty verdict against Manchester City, reports Amie Wilson.

Three City players, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly and Elliot Anderson are part of the England squad for the current international break. Both Guehi and Anderson started Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Czechia, with O’Reilly missing the game through injury.

Other Premier League clubs are reportedly looking for a punishment against Man City that would see them absent from the top flight for a prolonged amount of time.

The Guardian have reported that clubs in the top flight believe that a points deduction resulting in City being relegated would not be a sufficient punishment.

City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges for financial breaches that were brought against them by the Premier League, and are still stating their innocence.

Former Fluminense star Felipe Melo has jokingly stated that he wants the 2023 Club World Cup to be awarded to his old club after Man City were found guilty of financial breaches.

City beat Fluminense to win the trophy nearly three years ago, with Melo part of the team that lost 4-0 in Jeddah in December 2023.

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak's diplomatic status could reportedly provide complications amid the ongoing case against the club.

The Financial Times has reported that the City chief was granted diplomatic immunity six years ago, which could complicate the process following the guilty verdict that was announced this week.

The report claims that Mubarak was placed on the UK's official diplomat list back in 2020, which grants immunity from criminal investigations, as well as, in most cases, civil proceedings.

Even though there has been no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mubarak, it has been reported that any legal action which may be taken against City in the future may be "complicated" by the chief's diplomatic immunity.

A reminder, the Premier League listed four areas explaining why Man City had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against the club.

Manchester City should be given their punishment for financial breaches this season, it has been reported.

BBC Sport claim that some officials at other football clubs believe that City should be punished before the end of the campaign in the aftermath of the guilty verdict.

Man City defender Ruben Dias gave a blunt response when asked about the guilty verdict that has been given against the club.

Dias is currently with the Portugal squad for the Nations League and could go up against Denmark this evening, and was asked about the charges that have been brought against City.

Football finance expert Stefan Borson has explained why “false hope” should not be given to Man City supporters amid the charges that have been brought against the club.

City are expected to appeal the guilty verdict on the 114 charges, and say they have “irrefutable evidence” that proves their innocence.

Man City’s main shirt sponsor, Etihad Airways, have issued a statement saying they are “deeply concerned” following the announcement from the Premier League.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated that he would be “really concerned” about the prospect of Man City’s owners leaving the club in the aftermath of the charges that have been brought against City.

Greetings and welcome to Mirror Football’s LIVE coverage of the latest on the charges that have been brought against Manchester City.

The Premier League confirmed City had been found guilty by an independent commission earlier this week, with City still maintaining their innocence.

Today07:18 BSTMan City statementHere's the Man City statement in full that was released on Tuesday following the Premier League's announcement:Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums. The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted. Manchester City FC will now pursue the appeal avenues open to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe. The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence. The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete.CommentsMark Wakefield