Manchester City President Khaldoon Al Mubarak insists they retain a strong belief in their innocence after being found guilty found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
The long-awaited verdict in the case that has cast a cloud over City’s continued success on the pitch was finally reported on Friday.
City were found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges against them, which were laid in 2023 after a four-year investigation. The charges cover a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018.
Sanctions against City have not been decided and, with a prior appeal from the club, the case could still drag on for some time.
After the publication of a short statement from the City Council on Friday, Al Mubarak published an open letter to fans on Saturdaywho made it clear that the ruling has had no impact on the club’s position.
The letter read: “I have been part of this club for 18 years. I have been privileged to be with you at the Etihad, Wembley and Istanbul.
“I care about this club, and you’ve shown me and told me, time and time again, how much you care about Manchester City. That’s why I’m writing to you today.
“After Friday’s media coverage, many of you will have spent the night answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. This is what I told my family: the Premier League process still has a long way to go, and our confidence and intent to prove the club’s innocence is as strong as when it began.
“There is so much I wish I could 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 that I cannot do so at this time. Even this letter has undergone several legal checks to ensure that it complies.
“Although some people have been quick to jump to their own conclusions, and there is so much noise around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and succeeded. There are still many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that chance.”
“We have some exciting times to look forward to after this international break. We travel to Anfield in a fortnight and then host Paris St Germain in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium, moments which give us the opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.
“Thank you, as always, for your continued support.”
The city president stands by the club’s previous statements
Al Mubarak also referred fans to the statement made on Friday and his initial response to the charges in 2023, saying that “every word is important and true.”
Friday’s statement said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to complete and subject to strict confidentiality. Manchester City FC’s position therefore remains consistent with the club’s February 2023 statement.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would conduct themselves as an independent, impartial and fair regulator, free from partisan influence.”
City’s statement in response to the charges, which were laid in February 2023, said: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuance of these alleged breaches of Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and extensive amount of detailed material that has been provided to the EPL.
“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the broad body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.
“As such, we hope this matter is resolved once and for all.”
