Al Mubarak reaffirms Manchester City innocence stance as financial case continues

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reaffirmed the club's intention to prove its innocence following reports that it was found guilty of most of the Premier League financial-rule charges against it. In a letter to supporters reported by BBC Sport on Saturday, he said his confidence in City's position had not weakened and stressed that the proceedings were not finished.

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Al Mubarak said confidentiality prevented him from explaining the reasons for that confidence. He told supporters that even his letter had required legal checks before publication. The chairman, appointed following City's 2008 takeover, also argued that others were trying to undermine the club's progress and urged fans to remain united through the dispute.

The distinction between reported findings and an official announcement remains important. BBC Sport said the Premier League had not issued an official announcement and had declined to comment. City also declined to confirm whether they had been found guilty, instead saying that significant parts of the process remained outstanding and that strict confidentiality continued to apply.

BBC Sport reported that City will appeal. No sanctions had been announced, with the broadcaster identifying a points deduction, expulsion from the league or a substantial fine as possible repercussions rather than decided penalties. Other Premier League clubs were seeking legal advice about potential compensation, adding a separate issue to proceedings whose ultimate outcome remains unresolved.

The charges were brought in February 2023 after a four-year investigation. According to BBC Sport, the allegations centred on inflated sponsorship income from connected companies and payments outside the accounts that were said to bypass financial restrictions. The reported findings emerged 22 months after an independent commission's hearing concluded. City have consistently denied the allegations.

The Guardian also reported Al Mubarak's appeal for solidarity, including his reference to upcoming matches against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain after the international break. Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged a swift resolution, telling BBC Radio 5 Live that the uncertainty was unsettling for supporters. Her comments did not announce any intervention or penalty: she said applying the competition's rules remained a matter for the Premier League itself.