Man City Round-Up, Friday 13th November: Appeal Date Set as FFP Sanctions Timeline Takes Shape
The FFP saga dominated the headlines again on Friday. The Financial Times reported on when Manchester City could be "hit with sanctions" over their 114 charges, with the Premier League's process now coming into sharper focus (1). The Mirror reported that City's appeal against the independent commission's findings has been given a date for next month, with fresh fears emerging over what sanctions could follow if the appeal fails (4). talkSPORT reported that City are unlikely to face any sanctions hearing until that appeal has concluded (6), while the Manchester Evening News and FourFourTwo both confirmed the appeal is set to be heard next month, with a timeline for potential punishment now emerging (12)(16). Goal went further, suggesting City are awaiting a verdict that could even see them thrown out of the Premier League (13). Separately, PremierLeague.com confirmed that sanction agreements have already been reached with City over kick-off and restart delays as well as a Premier League 2 breach (15).
On the pitch, City will be looking to bounce back after their 3-1 defeat away at Nottingham Forest, with a home Premier League game against Fulham up next on Saturday 21 November, followed by a Champions League clash with Napoli at the Etihad on Tuesday 25 November. Sky Sports reflected on how City have looked "messier" of late but questioned whether Pep Guardiola's side are actually more dangerous than ever (8).
Jack Grealish, currently out on loan at Everton for a second season, has issued a public apology in a new statement, as reported by the Manchester Evening News (7). On the transfer front, Sports Mole reported that City face a £35m demand for a French goalkeeper, with Liverpool and Manchester United also said to be interested (19). Man City News also reported that Tottenham's Pedro Porro has made his stance clear on a shock return to City, with the defender said to be prioritising a move to Spain instead despite City joining Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for him (2).
There was plenty of player-focused debate too. The Manchester Evening News asked whether Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has made just two Premier League starts this season, could be the answer to City's midfield problems (5). Goal carried a piece questioning whether Phil Foden needs a move away, with an unnamed ex-England star said to be "worried" about the playmaker's form and his standing with England (11). GiveMeSport spoke exclusively to Rico Lewis about his City future, his England ambitions and working under Guardiola (17). With the international break continuing, Goal also reported on Wales boss Craig Bellamy's tactical plan to stop Erling Haaland, with Bellamy warning that Norway will be out for "revenge" when the two sides meet in the Nations League (18).
In the women's game, City have already beaten West Ham 5-0 in the WSL and thrashed Inter Milan 4-1 away in the Women's Champions League this past week. ESPN previewed Saturday's early WSL title-shaping clash away at Chelsea, calling it a potential title decider (14), while City Women also have a Champions League trip to BK Häcken to come on Wednesday 18 November.
This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
