The hammer has appeared to drop on Manchester City. David Ornstein reported for The Athletic on Friday that City have been found guilty on almost all of the charges for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules. That news has triggered a plethora of opinion pieces on how tainted City’s success since 2008 has been and how significant the punishment that City will receive will be. In the face of Friday’s report, Manchester City remain defiant. Manchester City’s chairman, Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, has released a statement that shows that the fight will go on for City. Friday’s report of a guilty verdict hasn’t changed Manchester City’s stance as the fight to clear the clubs name will continue.
Khaldoon Al-Mubarak vows that Manchester City will continue to fight to clear their name.
Following Friday’s reports, Manchester City first released a statement via the Athletic that said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the Club’s statement of February 2023.”
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.“
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak released an open letter on mancity.com yesterday. Al-Mubarak stated that the Premier League’s process in regards to the ‘115’ case still has a long way to run. Also, the City chairman reiterated his and the club’s confidence and intent to clear the club’s name. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak also said that there are a host of reasons as to why Manchester City are confident in their position. However, due to the strict confidentiality behind the legal process in play, he couldn’t further explain that stance. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak’s full letter can be viewed at the link below.
A letter from the Chairman.
🔗 https://t.co/JcwCQpzBOk pic.twitter.com/PBNVCdjue8
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2026
My thoughts on the entire ‘115’ situation.
I cannot speak for every Manchester City fan, nor would I attempt to. Since Friday’s revelation, City fans have had to deal with their club being branded ‘cheats’ and that will continue until the entire ‘115’ affair is eventually, finally, put to bed. Given that City will highly likely appeal the reported verdict, that day could be a long way away yet.
David Ornstein’s initial report did hit like a tonne of bricks. The guilty verdict wasn’t expected given how confident the City hierarchy had been through the entire process. But this isn’t a path that anyone associated with City hasn’t been down before. UEFA found City guilty of breaching their financial fair play rules in February 2020. Manchester City subsequently appealed that verdict to the Court of Arbitration for Sport five months later and were ultimately cleared. So the ‘115’ situation sits right where it is right now, which isn’t a new experience.
Looking at the entire situation, until any appeal is heard and the Premier League’s verdict is released, backing the club is the only course of action I can take. The Manchester City hierarchy has given myself no reason to doubt them since 2008. Khaldoon Al-Mubarak’s letter just further validates this stance or view. The report of City being found guilty of the Premier League’s charges isn’t the conclusion to the saga. There is a long road ahead and the end game isn’t in sight just yet.
For now, the lumps will come and be taken on the chin. Rival fans have branded Manchester City ‘cheats’ for years now. My point of view may come across as deluded. City are my club and I’ll support them through thick and thin. I always have and always will, wherever that journey takes me. Friday’s news was a shock to the system but it does seem like the next junction on the road ahead. Where the ‘115’ saga goes next remains to be seen. But Manchester City remain defiant and the fight to clear the club’s name looks set to continue for some time yet.
The last piece before the ‘115’ story takes the next turn.
Whatever happens from here, Manchester City will remain my club. As I mentioned above, I cannot speak for everyone. Only myself. Success and trophies aren’t the reason why I support City, they never have been. Those accolades come at the end of the journey that is each season. It is the journey that I am here for and always will be no matter where it takes me. The mates you make, the emotions that are experienced along the way of supporting City are what I am here for. That is what makes my connection to the club that is Manchester City so special. A club that chose me, not one I chose.
For now, Friday’s news does feel like being 3-0 down at halftime of a big match that you have waited so long to take place. But as Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has said, the fight isn’t over. Manchester City remain defiant. There will be more twists and turns to come in the ‘115’ saga. It is a story that will likely rumble away for considerable time yet. Until the final conclusion is reached, hope that City can clear the club’s name remains. Until that is extinguished it is where I am placing my hopes.
This is a road that I, like many, have travelled down with Manchester City since UEFA found City guilty. City subsequently had that verdict overturned, albeit under a different set of rules and circumstances. Here we are again. Friday’s news is another step on the path. It isn’t an enjoyable moment, that is for sure, but it is the moment that has appeared. Where it goes next no one knows with certainty just yet.
For now, I’ll continue to back my club. They’ve given me the ride of a lifetime since well before 2008 and will continue to do so when this saga finally concludes. Some of the ride has been great, some of it has not been so. Where the ‘115’ saga turns next isn’t immediately clear and the road ahead does feel uncertain. But Manchester City will remain a club no matter what happens from here. If City’s defiance is well placed, the whole situation that emerged on Friday may well take another dramatic twist.
The only thing that worries me is contained in the last words of the Club’s initial statement “partisan influence”. Murray Rosen KC picked the Panel and he is a member of Arsenal FC. City objected but were over ruled . The Appeal Panel will also be selected by him and the PL rules bar us from turning to CAS,
This case is primarily an accusation of fraud which should be dealt with by a “Legal” Court which would not allow evidence obtained by illegal means which the PL “Kangaroo” court are happy to allow.
I just hope our Legal Team have something up their sleeve.
One final point, as I am sure you are fed up by now, concerns the Political fallout. The UAE are this Country’s biggest ally in the Middle East and have billions in defence contracts. Sheikh Mansour’s brother is Crown Prince. Just a thought.
All the best for now and Up the Blues!
All good mate, I’m not fed up at all it is a massive story concerning our club.
Yeah it is a murky area in terms of the political fallout etc. There are so many wide ranging ramifications attached to the story. What I am waiting for is the Premier League announcement. Perhaps that could provide a bit more clarity whenever it arrives.
Yes I must add that considering this was all supposed to be so confidential and security so tight that as you say the PL is yet to make an official announcement yet this get leaked to every man and his dog which speaks volumes of the whole “fit up”.
A very good article Adam. I totally agree with your thoughts, and yours Jasper, considering the biased nonsense in the media.
A couple of thoughts, When CAS’s final report came out they cast a lot of doubt on the veracity of the hacked e-mails, which seems to be the only evidence UEFA put forward, and also said they would have had the same doubt on the time barred charges. Surely this would apply to all the 115 charges.
Also the fact of the release of the chose three should have been by the PL, not a media source.
Another thought regarding the political angle are the comments of Andy Burnham regarding due diligence.
Thanks mate, appreciate it.
Yes there are many layers to it all. It will be interesting to see what shakes out when the verdict is ‘officially’ announced. From there I’ll have more to say. In the evening I’m goung back to focus on matters on the pitch and will only look at this story when a proper update emerges.
I have sent my response to you but forgot to “link” it so it is further down. I also forgot to add that the enquiries made by UEFA were time barred in accordance with their rules which the PL do not adopt as their rules were designed to be anti City.
First remember the CAS operates from the REAL World. Just as in our own Courts of Law evidence obtained by illegal sources are deemed hearsay and inadmissable. However in the murky world of Planet Football anything that the Red Cartel say, goes which is why they will not allow appeals to CAS which other Sports .Organizations allow.
CAS also will not allow verdicts from Organizations which not only “Prosecute” but also “TRY” cases which must be made by TRULY Independent bodies which is not the case here. Murray Rosen KC and Arsenal member not only selected the Investigation Panel but will be doing the same with the Appeal panel.
The current government as with the previous one wanted to establish and independent regulator but nothing has happened to date which is why the PM pointed out that he is powerless but will be watching the situation and warning against jumping to conclusions. He knows only too well of the millions in investment the Club puts into Manchester from his time as Mayor.
As for the fact that the PL chose to “leak” rather than make an official announcement speaks volumes for THEIR integrity and honesty.
KEEP THE FAITH!!!
Who leaked this alleged decision and why did they do it and is it from a credible source?
The highly compromised Masters who has been pursuing an anti City agenda for some time now has remained quiet as the hatred that’s been building for so long is allowed to flood the media.
Meanwhile the criminal who hacked the data that these allegation are based on remains under house protection ( not arrest) at an unknown address.
Two things that are beyond argument is that what has been achieved on the football field is down to the players and fans.
Any rule breaking if it actually happened is down to City Executives and the executives at UEFA the Premier League and competing clubs who saw anti competivr sanctions as the only way to stop City.
What I cannot understand is the the charges that CAS found City innocent of are now found guilty by the PL.