City chairman writes to fans: ‘We are confident. I’d love to tell you why, but I can’t’

In the middle of the international break, Manchester City find themselves facing one of the most complex episodes in their recent history — played not on the pitch, but in the offices of sports justice. After press reports published by The Athletic and picked up by media around the world, which claimed the club had been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged financial breaches by the Premier League for the 2009–2018 period, the club decided to speak out.

In an official statement, the Citizens’ chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, issued an open and candid letter addressed to all the club’s supporters, aiming to reassure the community and firmly reaffirm the club’s stance.

“Confident and ready to prove our innocence”

“I have been part of this club for 18 years. I have had the privilege of standing alongside you at the Etihad, at Wembley and in Istanbul,” Al Mubarak began, emphasizing the deep bond that ties him to the team’s colors. The Citizens’ chief wanted to address directly the climate of uncertainty generated by the recent news: “After the media reports, many of you will have spent the evening answering questions and messages from friends, family and colleagues. The same goes for me. Here is what I told my family: the Premier League process still has a long way to go, and our belief and determination to prove the club’s innocence are as strong as they were at the start.”

Al Mubarak then explained why the club cannot go into the technical details of its defense: “There is so much I would love to share with you to help you understand why we are so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it prevent me from doing so at this time. This letter has also undergone several legal reviews to ensure its compliance.”

Concluding his message, Al Mubarak challenged the club’s critics: “Although some have rushed to draw their own conclusions and there is so much noise around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and emerged victorious. There are still many who want to undermine our club’s momentum. We will not give them that opportunity. After this international break, exciting times await us: in two weeks, we travel to Anfield and then host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. These will be occasions that will give us the chance to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family.”