Following reports in the English media on Friday that Manchester City had apparently been found guilty of 114 out of 115 financial breaches, club boss Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke out.
It is no secret that the Premier League has had its eye on potential financial breaches by Manchester City for several years. On Friday, the English media finally reported that the club had been found guilty of 114 out of a possible 115 financial breaches. Although official confirmation from the Premier League is still pending, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak spoke out on Saturday.
“Following Friday’s media reports, many of you will no doubt have spent the evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. I felt exactly the same,” Al Mubarak wrote in a letter to City fans on the club’s website. “This club means a great deal to me, and you have repeatedly shown and told me how much Manchester City means to you. That is why I am writing to you today.”
“The proceedings still have a long way to go”
An independent commission has suspected Man City of withholding key financial information for several years. However, the proceedings are not yet concluded; on the one hand, the potential penalty remains unknown, and on the other, the Sky Blues can still lodge an appeal. So far, the Premier League club’s officials have rejected all allegations.
Al Mubarak also maintains this position, emphasising: “The Premier League’s proceedings still have a long way to go, and our confidence and determination to prove the club’s innocence are just as strong as they were at the outset.”
“There are many who want to undermine the momentum of our club”
He said there were “so many things I would like to share with you to help you understand why we are so confident in our position”. However, due to the ongoing proceedings, he has not yet been able to disclose them. At the same time, the 50-year-old, who took charge of Manchester City in 2008, refers to the club’s previously published statements.
Should the convictions stand, Manchester City face a range of sanctions. These could include fines and points deductions, and could even result in exclusion from a competition. Theoretically, it is even possible that Man City could have titles stripped from them retrospectively.
“Even though some people have jumped to their own conclusions and there is so much turmoil around us, nothing has changed,” explained the club chairman. “We have overcome challenges together before and come out on top. There are still many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity.
