Manchester City chairman defends club over 114 Premier League allegations

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak reiterated the club’s innocence and said they remain confident of proving their case, a day after media claims City were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.

In an open letter to fans on Saturday, Al Mubarak said the lengthy process was far from over and insisted the club’s confidence in proving his innocence “is as strong as when it began”.

“After the media reports on Friday, many of you will spend the evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. Me too,” Al Mubarak said.

“This is what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to go and our confidence and intention to prove the club’s innocence is as strong as it was when it started.”

City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the independent commission’s decision in a case that has hung over English football for years.

A guilty verdict would represent one of the most significant decisions in the history of the sport, with potential implications for financial regulation, competitive integrity and the Premier League’s ability to enforce its rules against one of its most successful clubs.

Al Mubarak said he was limited in what he could say due to strict confidentiality related to the legal process.

“Even this letter went through several legal checks to make sure it was compliant,” he said.

He urged supporters to carefully read the statements issued by the club on Friday and in February 2023, which he included in his open letter.

“I ask you to carefully read the statement… we provided on Friday and the statement we issued in February 2023…” he said. “Every word matters and counts.”

In a February 2023 statement, City said it was surprised by the alleged breaches, “particularly given the extensive involvement and the vast amount of detailed material that was provided to the EPL (English Premier League).

“The club welcomes a review of this matter by an independent commission to impartially consider the comprehensive body of conclusive evidence that exists to support its position,” it said in a statement.

The city reiterated that statement on Friday. The Premier League declined to comment on the latest news.

“It’s a confidential process, we don’t comment at all,” the spokeswoman said.

Al Mubarak also urged his supporters to be patient as the case continues. “While some people have jumped to their own conclusions and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed,” he said.

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

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