Manchester City Chair: "Nothing Has Changed" After Verdict

Khaldoon al-Mubarak, chairman of Manchester City, has stated that "nothing has changed" and their "confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began," following the club's guilty verdict on most of the 115 Premier League financial rule breach charges. The club had previously denied all charges.

After remaining silent until Saturday afternoon, al-Mubarak addressed the situation via social media, acknowledging the surrounding "noise" and external desire to "undermine the momentum of our club." He emphasized that City has overcome challenges before and will not allow this to distract them from upcoming matches, including fixtures against Anfield and Paris Saint-Germain.

Manager Enzo Maresca initially responded with a cryptic social media post quoting Socrates: "The only thing I know is that I know nothing." His representatives later shared a screenshot of this quote, adding, "Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn."

Reactions from prominent figures varied. Oasis's Noel Gallagher expressed surprise and sadness, noting that as fans, their focus remains on what happens on the pitch. He believes the success experienced by fans will not be diminished by off-field rulings.

Former City chairman David Bernstein voiced his shock and sadness, particularly for the supporters. He suggested that any penalty should extend beyond financial sanctions, stating, "money is not sufficient, it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that." Bernstein also stressed the importance of a swift appeal process to avoid prolonged damage to English football.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy described the situation as "unsettling" for football fans, emphasizing the need for fair and consistent rule application. Nigel Huddleston, former shadow secretary of state for culture, called for accelerated and transparent next steps to protect the integrity of English football.

A Manchester City spokesperson reiterated the club's consistent position from February 2023, referencing a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" supporting their innocence and stating their respect for due process from an independent regulator.