The proceedings against Manchester City over alleged financial irregularities are 'far from over', according to the club's chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, in an open letter to fans published on Saturday. His reaction followed the publication by The Athletic on Friday that Manchester City had been found guilty of 115 of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.
The alleged breaches relate to the period from 2009 to 2018. The Premier League had brought 115 charges against the club, which include 80 financial breaches between 2009 and 2018 and 35 additional charges for a lack of cooperation during the investigation. Some media outlets reported that the 'Citizens' face expulsion from the Premier League.
Al Mubarak stated in the letter that nothing had changed despite numerous speculations. 'The proceedings are far from over, and our confidence and determination to prove the club's innocence are as strong as they were at the start of this affair,' he said. 'While some people have drawn their own conclusions and are surrounded by noise, nothing has changed,' he added.
The chairman reflected on the challenges the club has faced. 'We have already faced challenges and overcome them,' he said, warning: 'There are still those who try to disrupt the momentum of our club. We will not give them the opportunity.'
The hearing in this case began on 16 September 2024 and concluded almost three months later, on 6 December. The club has always denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it has 'a complete set of irrefutable evidence' for the defence before the independent commission handling the case. According to media reports, the commission found the club guilty on 114 of the 115 charges, but the club has the right to appeal.
