Manchester City allegedly breached Premier League rules and now await the outcome of the division’s case against them with club chair Khaldoon Al Mubarak revealing when he will speak
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has admitted he is relishing the opportunity to speak on the 115 charges placed against the club, as soon as a ruling is made. The Manchester side, their rivals and the Premier League still await the judgment after a hearing into the breaches took place in 2024.
City are accused of violating financial regulations across a nine-year period dating back to 2009. An investigation was launched in 2019 and looked into allegations over the club’s financial reporting and failure to cooperate with enquiries, though City have maintained their innocence throughout.
Charges were formally announced in 2023. City faced 54 allegations of failing to supply accurate and up-to-date financial information from 2009/10. They also face 14 alleged violations of failing to furnish accurate financial records of player and manager remuneration across the same period.
The volume of charges against the club is likely behind the wait for an outcome and an appeals process could yet extend the wait further. And it seems Al Mubarak is keen to take his opportunity to speak when it finally arrives.
“Let me be as consistent as I’ve always been – until we have a ruling, I can’t say much,” he said. “Once we have a ruling, believe me, we’re going to have a wonderful sit down together and I’ll say everything I’ve wanted to say for the last three years.”
JOIN US ON FB! Get the latest football news from Football London’s Facebook page
Despite the wait and uncertain global economic climate, Al Mubarak revealed that Sheikh Mansour has not plans to put the club up for sale.
“There’s no intention to sell. There’s only intention to keep growing this because the view here is this will only grow and this is a beautiful business to own,” said Al Mubarak.
“It’s football and it’s entertainment. And in the world we’re in today, while the world changes and people’s attention goes to different things, sport stays. And football within sports is the pinnacle. And Manchester City and this Group within the football world is a pinnacle. And these sorts of jewels, you don’t sell.
“When Sheikh Mansour looks at this club, he sees it as a long-term investment. Not just Sheikh Mansour. Sheikh Mansour of course and the shareholders who have invested in this club over the years buy into the vision that we’re going to invest in something that’s going to grow in value over time.”
Sports lawyer Tom Murray suggested last month that there could still be some wait for an outcome to proceedings. The founding partner of the Three Points law firm believes the club are likely to be found guilty of at least some charges.
“I don’t think anyone knows,” Murray told the Price of Football podcast. “I’ve spoken to barristers working on the case, and even they don’t know when the decision will be released. As much as I would like to speculate, I think it would be pointless.
“But this is going to be strung out for as long as possible and I think we can expect an appeal and we’ll be back in the same position. In two years’ time, it wouldn’t be surprising if we still don’t have a final outcome.”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
