Premier League

Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reaffirmed the club’s determination to clear its name following the Premier League’s ruling on the long-running financial charges, stressing the legal process is far from over.

City were found guilty of all but one of 115 Premier League charges for breaching financial regulations, according to reports on Friday.

Al Mubarak, in a message addressed to City supporters on Saturday, acknowledged the intense public scrutiny surrounding the case and urged fans to remain united as the club prepares to challenge the outcome.

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Al Mubarak said many supporters had spent the past day responding to questions from friends, family, and colleagues following widespread media coverage of the verdict, adding that he had faced similar conversations.

The chairman stressed that despite the ruling, City remained unwavering in its belief that it would ultimately prove its innocence.

“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,” Al Mubarak said.

Al Mubarak noted that although the club possessed information it believed would help supporters understand its confidence, it was unable to disclose details because of the strict confidentiality governing the ongoing legal proceedings.

“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment,” Al Mubarak stated.

The chairman said even his letter to supporters underwent legal scrutiny to ensure it complied with restrictions surrounding the case.

He urged fans to carefully read the club’s official statement issued on Friday, alongside its original response released in February 2023 when the Premier League first charged the club, stressing that every word in both statements remained valid.

The chairman also criticised what he described as attempts by some people to prematurely judge the club before the legal process had concluded.

He said: “While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed.

“We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.”

Al Mubarak urged City fans to focus on the club’s upcoming fixtures after the international break, including a Premier League trip to Anfield and a UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City found guilty of 114 Premier League charges, set to appeal

Al Mubarak described the matches as opportunities for fans to celebrate the unity and resilience of the City family despite the ongoing legal battle.

The chairman thanked supporters for their continued loyalty and backing, expressing confidence that the club would continue to stand together throughout the appeals process.

City have dominated English football for more than a decade but their reputation is on the line and they face potentially swingeing sanctions after a process that has taken two years.

The Abu Dhabi-backed club were charged by the Premier League in 2023 following an investigation into alleged breaches of rules between 2009 and 2018.

A hearing by an independent commission started in September 2024.

City were accused of failing to provide accurate financial information and details of payments to players and coaches, as well as breaches of financial sustainability rules.
They were also charged with failing to cooperate with an investigation.

The club strongly denied all charges at the time and said their case was supported by a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence”.

Segun Ojo
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