Khaldoon Al Mubarak vows to prove City's innocence after 115 financial charges verdict

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has issued an open letter to supporters after reports emerged that the club had been found guilty of 114 alleged financial rule breaches, reaffirming the club’s position that it will prove its innocence through the ongoing Premier League independent commission process.

In the letter, Al Mubarak acknowledged the weight of the news on supporters, writing: “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.”

Despite the reports, the chairman struck a defiant tone, insisting nothing had fundamentally changed in the club’s legal stance. “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,” he wrote, adding that strict confidentiality obligations prevented him from sharing the full detail of why the club feels confident in its position.

Al Mubarak also pointed supporters back to two previous club statements — one issued in response to the original 115 charges in February 2023, and one released on Friday. The 2023 statement read: “Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with. The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”

Rather than addressing potential punishments, the chairman urged supporters to look ahead. “While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed,” he wrote. “There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our Club. We will not give them that opportunity.”

Al Mubarak closed by pointing to upcoming fixtures — a trip to Anfield and a home Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain — as moments for the club’s supporters to rally around.

The independent commission hearing, which has been running for an extended period, covers alleged breaches spanning financial fair play rules, player and manager remuneration, and failure to provide accurate information to the Premier League. City have consistently denied all charges.