# A-Leagues launch clouded by Manchester City cheating scandal

> A-League season begins amid Manchester City scandal as APL vows to review findings.
- Title: A-Leagues launch clouded by Manchester City cheating scandal
- Summary: A-League season begins amid Manchester City scandal as APL vows to review findings. The A-League season starts with the Australian Professional Leagues…
- Keywords: a-league, manchester city, aplp, premier league, sham contracts, financial rules, australian professional leagues, melbourne city, referee pay, player pay, sports, A-Leagues
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/30/a-league-launch-clouded-by-manchester-city-cheating-scandal-apl
- Published: 2026-09-30T05:15:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: a-league, manchester city, aplp, premier league, sham contracts, financial rules, australian professional leagues, melbourne city, referee pay, player pay, sports
## A-League season launch
The A-League men’s and women’s season begins under a pall as referee and player pay issues linger.
## Manchester City scandal
Manchester City was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules with sham contracts over nine years, boosting income by more than £900m.
## APL review pledge
The Australian Professional Leagues pledged to review the Premier League’s findings after confirming Melbourne City has not been investigated.
## APL leadership ties
Simon Pearce, a Manchester City board member and APL vice-chair, lives in Sydney and helped shift the A-Leagues to a club-owned model in 2020.
## APL chief executive
Steve Rosich confirmed Melbourne City has not been subject to a league investigation but pledged to review the Premier League’s decision as legal process continues.
## Player pay concerns
Matildas and Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln said players could find a full-time professional contract with a liveable wage.
## Key takeaway

The A-League season starts with the Australian Professional Leagues pledging to review the Premier League's finding that Manchester City breached financial rules using sham contracts.