Manchester City chairman issues statement after club found guilty on 114 charges
The Manchester City chairman has responded after the news broke yesterday that the club had been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges by the Premier League.
Khaldoon al Mubarak released a statement on the club's website, saying the 'Premier League process still has a long way to run'.
He suggested that the club's 'confidence and intent' in proving their innocence 'is just as strong as when this began' following yesterday's shock news.
The statement read: "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.
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"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."
Since the takeover in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi Group, the Citizens have won a plethora of trophies both domestically and in Europe, many of which came under the stewardship of legendary manager Pep Guardiola, although the charges only relate to a nine-year period between 2008 and 2017.
Following yesterday's news, a Manchester City spokesperson told The Athletic: “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 club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
Manchester City are currently top of the Premier League with a perfect record this season, after Enzo Maresca took over during the summer following the departure of Guardiola.
Although a punishment is yet to be decided, and will likely be a long time coming as Man City continue to appeal the charges, it could be a serious one for the club that has dominated English football over the past decade, including a potential expulsion from the league.
What punishments could Man City face?
- A reprimand
- A fine of an unlimited amount
- Suspension from playing Premier League matches
- Deduction of points already scored or to be scored
- A recommendation that one or more league matches be replayed
- A recommendation that the club be expelled from the Premier League
- Payment of compensation of an unlimited amount
- Cancellation or refusal of a player registration made in breach of the rules
They could face a combination of any of these repercussions, as per the 22/23 Premier League handbook.
The charges in full can be seen below:
- Failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10 to and including 2017/18 - 54 alleged breaches
- Failure to co-operate with Premier League investigations from December 2018 - present [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 - 7 alleged breaches
- Failure to comply with UEFA's regulations, including UEFA's Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations - 5 alleged breaches
James Moorhouse