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. Soriano declined to answer questions from Sky News as he left a private meeting of the executive board of the European Football Clubs' body in Copenhagen.

Inside the room, sources say Soriano brought up the case against City, referencing the interest of other clubs without directly mentioning the verdict. He is understood to have noted it has been eight years since the allegations were first made and that a conclusion will take much longer. Sources say he expressed determination to fight the case, with City able to appeal while a separate process determines sanctions.

The process is moving to the appeal stage after reports claimed most charges for breaking Financial Fair Play rules were proven. The Premier League and City have not denied the club was found guilty of the majority of charges first brought in 2023.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement: "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." A City spokesperson added: "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."