Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reaffirmed his belief that the club will ultimately prove its innocence in the Premier League’s 115 charges case, following reports that an independent tribunal found the vast majority of the charges proven.
What sparked the response
Reports emerged on Friday suggesting an independent tribunal had reached its verdict on the case, with most of the charges relating to alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules said to have been found proven. Understanding is that the process is now moving into its appeal stage. Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing.
Al Mubarak addresses supporters directly
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Al Mubarak said the club’s confidence and intent in proving its innocence remains just as strong as when the case first began. In a message aimed at supporters, he acknowledged that many fans had spent Friday evening fielding questions from friends, family and colleagues, admitting he had done exactly the same himself.
He explained that the Premier League process still has a long way to run, and that his confidence in the club’s position has not wavered. Al Mubarak said there was much he would like to share to help supporters understand why the club feels so confident, but that the strict confidentiality surrounding the legal process, which he said the club is determined to respect, prevents him from doing so at this stage, noting that even his letter to fans underwent extensive legal review before release.
He pointed supporters back to the club’s statement issued on Friday in response to the latest reports, as well as the original statement released in February 2023 when City were first charged with more than 100 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, stressing that the underlying situation has not changed.
‘We will not give them that opportunity’
Al Mubarak acknowledged that plenty of people have been quick to draw their own conclusions amid the surrounding noise, but insisted nothing has actually changed. He said the club has faced challenges before and prevailed, and suggested there remain those who want to undermine Manchester City’s momentum, vowing the club will not give them that chance.
Looking ahead, he pointed to exciting fixtures on the horizon once the international break concludes, including a trip to Anfield in a fortnight and a Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain back at the Etihad Stadium, describing both as opportunities to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.
City’s official statement and the original charges
In its own statement issued on Friday, Manchester City said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality, adding that its position remains consistent with the statement issued back in February 2023. The club reiterated that it has diligently respected due process for eight years on the understanding that the Premier League board and executive would act as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator.
When City were first charged in February 2023, the club said at the time it was surprised by the charges given the extensive engagement and detailed material it had already provided to the league, and welcomed the review by an independent commission to consider what it described as a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence supporting its position, adding that it looked forward to the matter finally being resolved.
Quick Facts
- Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has responded publicly for the first time since reports of the tribunal’s findings.
- He said the club’s confidence in proving its innocence remains as strong as when the case began.
- The case is reported to be moving into its appeal stage.
- City were originally charged with more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules in February 2023.
- Al Mubarak highlighted upcoming fixtures against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain as points of focus for the club.
- Manchester City continues to deny all wrongdoing throughout the process.
This remains a fast-moving story with major implications for English football. Fans across Kenya and East Africa can continue to follow all the latest Premier League news and Manchester City’s upcoming fixtures live on DStv SuperSport.
