Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reiterated the club’s confidence in overturning a reported verdict that found it guilty of 114 of 115 charges brought by the Premier League over alleged financial rule breaches.
Reports on Friday said an independent commission had reached its decision in the long-running case, but the Premier League has not officially published the verdict or announced any punishment. Manchester City have also maintained that the legal process remains ongoing.
The charges, initially announced by the Premier League in February 2023, relate to alleged breaches covering the period from the 2009-10 season through to 2022-23. They include allegations concerning the provision of financial information, player and manager remuneration, profitability and sustainability rules, UEFA regulations and cooperation with the league’s investigation.
In a message to supporters published on the club’s website on Saturday, Al Mubarak said Manchester City remained confident in its position and intended to continue its legal fight.
“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,” he said.
The chairman said the club was unable to disclose further details because of the confidentiality surrounding the proceedings.
“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,” he said.
“But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.”
The reported verdict comes more than three and a half years after the Premier League announced the charges and almost two years after the independent hearing began in London. The hearing concluded in December 2024.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing. Following the reports of the verdict, the club said the Premier League process remained ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.
Al Mubarak also hit back at what he described as conclusions being drawn before the legal process had been completed.
“While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed,” he said.
The chairman added that the club would continue to defend its position.
“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.”
The eventual sanctions, if any, have not been announced. Reports indicate that Manchester City are expected to appeal against the reported findings, meaning the dispute could continue through further legal proceedings.
