Man City chairman sends defiant message to fans after bombshell Premier League charges verdict | OneFootball

Khaldoon Al Mubarak addresses supporters in open letter, insisting that “nothing has changed”

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has issued a defiant message to supporters following reports that the club have been found guilty of almost all of their 115 Premier League charges.

Bombshell reports first emerged on Friday that City - who strongly deny any wrongdoing and are expected to appeal - had been found guilty by an independent commission on all but one of those charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

The verdict comes 22 months after the conclusion of a 12-week hearing held in front of a three-person panel that finished in December 2024 and more than three-and-a-half years after City were first charged by the Premier League in February 2023 following a four-year investigation.

City’s initial statement given in the aftermath of those seismic reports on Friday insisted that the “strictly confidential process” remained “ongoing”, with “significant elements to be completed”.

It is understood that sanctions on the club have yet to be decided, with the possible range of punishments including a potential fine, points deduction, transfer ban or even expulsion from the Premier League.

Al Mubarak has now addressed City fans directly in an open letter, insisting that “nothing has changed” despite “people being quick to reach their own conclusions” and that “our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began”.

He also said that City would not give an opportunity to the “many who want to undermine the momentum of our club”.

Statement: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak

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Al Mubarak wrote on Saturday via City’s official website and social media channels: “I have been part of this Club for 18 years. I have had the privilege to stand with you in the Etihad, at Wembley, and in Istanbul.

“This Club matters to me, and you have shown and told me – time and time again - how much Manchester City matters to you. This is why I am writing to you today.

“Following Friday’s media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I.

“Here’s what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.

“There are so many things that I would like to be able to 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 I cannot do that at the moment.

“Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.

“I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023 (also below). Every word matters and holds true.

“While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed.

“There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.

“We have some exciting moments 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 back at Etihad Stadium - moments that give us an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.

“Thank you, as always, for your constant support.”

City’s initial statement on Friday read: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023.

The statement from February 2023 which Al Mubarak refers to read: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.

“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.

“As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”