Andy Burnham and Pep Guardiola rally behind Manchester City after Premier League commission verdict | OneFootball

Shock gripped Manchester on Wednesday after an independent commission convened by the Premier League delivered its verdict on Manchester City, prompting fears for the club’s future, according to Le Progres.

In the severest scenario, City could be stripped of several titles and expelled from the league for allegedly inflating revenue and understating costs by more than £900 million. The club rejects the accusations, and anxiety is rife among supporters.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, formerly Greater Manchester’s mayor from 2017 to June 2026, said he was very worried about any exit by the club’s Emirati owners. He praised their role in Manchester’s transformation and in turning City into a global force.

Pep Guardiola offered unequivocal backing on X, telling fans he is with City more than ever, has always stood by the club and always will. He said they would get through this together and shared a photo alongside Khaldoon al-Mubarak, City’s Emirati chairman. Guardiola managed City from 2016 to 2026, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Rival voices were harsher. Rio Ferdinand posted on X urging that medals be handed back.

Among locals, views reflected the city’s divide. Liverpool supporter Connor Emery, 25, said the Premier League’s statement was damning and that he favours relegation, though he expects it will end with a fine. Customer adviser Sabrina Lodi said she was shocked, adding that City had the money to do things properly but chose otherwise, and suggesting others may do similar but had not been caught.

Source: Le Progres

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