Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has expressed unwavering confidence that the club will demonstrate its innocence following media reports that an independent panel found the team guilty of 114 violations of Premier League financial regulations.
In an open letter addressed to supporters on Saturday, Al Mubarak acknowledged the distress caused by Friday’s news coverage but emphasized that the legal proceedings remain far from concluded. He stated that the organization’s resolve to clear its name remains as strong as it was at the outset of the dispute.
“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,” Al Mubarak wrote. “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.”
The case, which has cast a shadow over English football for several years, could result in one of the most consequential rulings in the sport’s history if the violations are upheld. Such a verdict would raise significant questions regarding financial oversight, competitive fairness, and the league’s capacity to enforce rules against one of its most prosperous clubs. City maintains that it committed no wrongdoing and is expected to file an appeal against the independent panel’s decision.
Al Mubarak noted that strict confidentiality protocols surrounding the legal process limit his ability to discuss specific details. He revealed that the open letter itself underwent multiple legal reviews to ensure compliance before publication.
He urged fans to refer to the club’s prior public statements, specifically referencing the declaration issued in February 2023. That document expressed surprise at the alleged infractions, citing the extensive materials and detailed engagement provided to the English Premier League. It further welcomed the impartial review by an independent commission, asserting the existence of irrefutable evidence supporting the club’s position. City reaffirmed this stance on Friday.
A Premier League spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, stating, “It’s a confidential process, we’re not commenting at all.”
Addressing the rumors and speculation surrounding the club, Al Mubarak called for patience. “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. “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.”
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