Football on Trial: The Manchester City Charges - 5. Sham City - BBC Sounds

Radio 5 Live , · 20 Oct 2026 , · 28 mins

The independent commission finally reaches its verdict: City are found guilty on almost all the charges, including using “sham contracts” to disguise more than £800 million in funding over 9 years from the Abu Dhabi United Group and the club’s owners. City responded by saying they were "disappointed and surprised" by the commission's findings. The club confirms they will appeal. Rick Edwards is joined by The Observer’s Rory Smith and Xavier Greenwood to make sense of the verdict and its repercussions. Football on Trial is a Tortoise Media / Observer production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live. Host: Rick Edwards Producer and writer: Jonathan Lewis Original music: Tom Kinsella Sound design: Amalie Sortland Editor: Jasper Corbett