Khaldoon Al Mubarak thinks he can prove Man City's 'innocence' as open letter on 114 charges issued
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak believes he can still prove they are innocent after the Premier League found the club guilty on 114 charges on Friday (September 25).
Back in February 2023, the Premier League charged City with breaking financial fair play rules on 115 occasions over a nine-year period, which started in 2009 and went on until 2018.
The Cityzens tasted success on three occasions during those dates, lifting the Premier League trophy ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak releases Man City statement on 115 charges
Although no sanctions have been decided, City are expected to appeal the decision after it was revealed that legal action could follow from clubs in the English top flight.
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Man City released a strongly worded statement on Friday afternoon addressing the situation. They wrote: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and is subject to strict confidentiality. As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023.
"The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has since followed up with a letter of his own on Man City's official website, where he expressed his confidence in proving that the club is 'innocent' - despite being found guilty of 114 charges.
"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," Al Mubarak began.
"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 allow us to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.
"Thank you, as always, for your constant support. Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman, Manchester City Football Club."
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Manchester City's 115 charges in full as verdict emerges
- Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 54 alleged breaches
- Failure to cooperate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 to February 2023 - 35 alleged breaches
- Failure to provide accurate financial reports for player and manager compensation from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 14 alleged breaches
- Breaches of Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations from 2015/16 to and including 2017/18 - Seven alleged breaches
- Failure to comply with UEFA's regulations, including UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations - Five alleged breaches
Topics: Premier League, Football News, Man City
Thomas Griffin