The unhinged Manchester City response that reveals how far this war will go

The Independent's Lawrence Ostlere argues that Manchester City's defiant response to being found guilty of financial breaches demonstrates their commitment to continuing a protracted battle against the Premier League. Following a 40-page independent commission report detailing systemic financial rule breaking from 2009 to 2018, club leaders Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano maintained the club's innocence and alleged a conspiracy against them.

Ostlere notes that Manchester City plans to appeal the verdict, with legal representation led by appeals specialist Lord Pannick. The writer argues that the ongoing conflict damages English football, contending that state ownership of clubs should be curtailed by the Independent Football Regulator.