Khaldoon al-Mubarak, the Manchester City chair, has spoken for the first time since the club was found guilty on virtually all counts of breaching Premier League financial rules. He said “nothing has changed” and “our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began”.
News broke on Friday that City had been found guilty on all but one of the 115 charges laid by the Premier League in February 2023, charges the club have always strenuously denied.
The club did not comment on the verdict until Saturday afternoon when al-Mubarak said on social media: “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 Saint-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.”
Earlier, City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, posted a cryptic message on social media reading “I know nothing”.
On Saturday morning, Maresca was approached for comment about whether he is seeking reassurance from the club on their continued stance of innocence. The Guardian was sent by his representatives a screenshot of a quote attributed to Socrates, the Greek philosopher, which Maresca posted on Instagram.
The quote reads: “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” Maresca also wrote: “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
Elsewhere, there wwere contrasting reactions to the outcome of the Premier League investigation. Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, a longtime City fan, described his shock at the news, while the club’s former chair David Bernstein believes any potential punishment should not be only financial. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, described the case as unsettling.
On the Let Me Talk podcast, Gallagher said: “A little surprised when I heard it on the radio. Surprised because the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges.
“So it was a bit of a shock to find out that we’ve been found guilty of all but one. But really just quite sad. Sad for the fans and for the players.”
Asked if it changes the context of moments like Sergio Agüero’s title-winning goal in 2012, Gallagher said: “Our focus as fans is always on the pitch and we know what we saw.
“Whatever goes on in the boardroom, it’s nothing to do with the supporters or the players. The players won that game and won that title on the pitch. Whether some of those players should have been there or not, that’s nothing to do with the fans.
“Does it taint it? I suppose in the eyes of everybody else in England it would, but I know what I saw and I know what I felt.”
Bernstein, City’s chair from 1998-2003, told Times Radio: “I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday. You’ve asked me on the programme because of my time as chair of City and the FA, but basically I’m a fan of Manchester City and have been a fan for 70 years.
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“When I was chair I think I helped get the club out of a very difficult period and started the road to better things. But to see all this tarnished in this way is very sad.
“I feel particularly bad for the wonderful supporters of the club who’ve stayed with the club through thick and thin. It’s a pretty bad day for the fans in blue of Manchester.”
As for the correct punishment, Bernstein said: “First of all, the timing is crucial. This whole process has taken too long already. So the appeal process has to be done quickly because you’ve got the club playing with this cloud over its head and it’s just not viable.
“The appeal process cannot go on for year after year, that would be a disaster. Not just for this particular case, but for English football generally.
“I can’t give a view on the punishment. If they are found, after the appeal, guilty of 115 charges, my beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty. All I would say is that money is not sufficient, it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that.”
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Nandy said: “Most football fans will be feeling this is not a good moment for football as a whole and Manchester City fans will be feeling very anxious about what happens next. This is a really longstanding investigation, it dates all the way back to allegations that begin in 2009.
“The football fans need to know the rules are applied fairly and consistently, they need to know they’re upheld and they need to know the right decision has been reached.
“We do have a way to go with this, it’s very unsettling for football fans and I hope it can be resolved as swiftly as possible.”
Nigel Huddleston, who was the shadow secretary of state for culture until last month, said on social media: “Whatever the next steps are, they must be conducted in an accelerated and more transparent manner or risk further damage to the reputation and integrity of English football and more unnecessary anxiety for millions of football fans.”
A City spokesperson said on Friday: “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.” In that statement, City said they had a ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence’ of their innocence.
Friday’s statement from City continued: “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.”