Before the summer, Manchester City learned they had been found guilty of more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, according to reports, and still spent heavily in the transfer market.
Papers published on Tuesday 29 September 2026, UK time, carry reports about a club that moved fast on deals even as the verdict hung over it. The Telegraph says City could be expelled from the Premier League after their near-£1billion cheating scandal was laid bare.
What the verdict means for City
According to ESPN, Manchester City learned of the guilty verdict in the summer. The report further states that the deal for Elliot Anderson was settled before the club knew that the independent panel had rendered its decision.
The sequence of events is what matters most in this account. A club facing the threat of expulsion still spent heavily, and the papers describe that order clearly. It remains uncertain whether the spending came before or after the verdict, but the arrangement of the two is the substance of the report.
Newcastle target Fraser Stewart
The Daily Record reports that Newcastle United are preparing to poach Kilmarnock’s goalkeeping coach Fraser Stewart. He has served the club, and Newcastle now seem intent on bringing him across the country.
Savage moves to Peterborough
talkSPORT reports that Robbie Savage has accepted an offer to manage Peterborough United and is now ready to step down from his position at Forest Green Rovers.
Mbappe, Konate and Valverde cleared for El Clasico
ESPN reports that Kylian Mbappe, Ibrahima Konate and Federico Valverde are all expected to be fit for Real Madrid’s clash with LaLiga title rivals Barcelona in El Clasico on October 25. The latest updates indicate the three players have recovered sufficiently to take their place in the squad for the match.
One of the biggest matches on the calendar is El Clasico, and having all three fit alters the nature of the contest significantly. The three players together could give Real Madrid a boost when they face their rivals.
Ceferin’s attack on FIFA
According to The Times, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has launched a sharp attack on his rival at FIFA, Gianni Infantino, citing the World Cup sell-off plan, the peace prize given to Donald Trump, and the Folarin Balogun scandal. The two governing bodies continue to clash over the path of world football.
Ceferin’s remarks are described as a direct challenge to Infantino’s leadership.
Rugby Union moves
The Telegraph reports that Jack Willis remains willing to switch sides and play for Ireland while he remains banned from England duty.
The Times reports that Brendan Venter’s job title at Saracens has been altered to “head of rugby culture and wine consultant” with the aim of sparing him media responsibilities when he comes back to the Prem. It’s a clever approach to keeping Venter off camera.
French clubs push for a smaller Champions Cup
According to The Times, the French clubs have publicly backed a plan to cut the Champions Cup to 16 teams, which they say will make the competition more “elitist”. This move would significantly change the shape of European club football.
The reduction would mean fewer teams qualify.
Key facts
- Manchester City guilty of more than 100 breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules
- Near-£1billion spending by City this summer
- El Clasico on October 25
- Fraser Stewart targeted by Newcastle from Kilmarnock
- Robbie Savage to join Peterborough United
- Kylian Mbappe, Ibrahima Konate and Federico Valverde expected to play in El Clasico
Manchester City’s guilty verdict has not yet reached its end. According to the reports, the club learned of the judgement in the summer, and then spending moved forward without delay.
See the video the story is built around at Sky Sports.
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