City’s FFP defence clashes with Purslow’s warning of league‑wide damage
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak issued a defiant statement on Saturday, insisting the club remains confident it will prove its innocence despite being found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial‑fair‑play charges brought by the Premier League, while former Liverpool director Christian Purslow warned that the case could spiral out of control across English football.
Guilty verdict and investigation
David Ornstein revealed on Friday that the Premier League’s February 2023 charge sheet resulted in City being found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches. An independent panel examined the case for ten weeks in September 2024 after a four‑year league investigation. Man fans have followed the saga closely, and the findings have reignited debate over the club’s financial practices.
The allegations span the period from 2009 to 2018, accusing City of inflating sponsorship revenue to conceal owner payments, breaching player‑wage rules and paying a manager – widely believed to be Roberto Mancini – a higher salary via a secret contract.
City vehemently deny the charges and have announced plans to appeal, asserting that the evidence will exonerate the Club.
In his open letter, Khaldoon Al Mubarak wrote that he has been part of the Club for 18 years, recalling moments at the Etihad, Wembley and Istanbul. He stressed that the Premier League process still has a long way to run and that the Club’s confidence remains as strong as when the case began.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak urges Manchester City fans nothing has changed
He added that confidentiality prevents him from sharing further details, noting that the letter underwent several legal checks. Mubarak urged supporters to read both the Friday statement and the February 2023 declaration, insisting that every word matters.
Looking ahead, the Club highlighted exciting fixtures after the international break: a trip to Anfield in a fortnight and a Champions League tie against Paris St Germain at the Etihad Stadium.
Club’s official response and future outlook
On Friday City released a statement confirming that the Premier League process remains ongoing, subject to strict confidentiality, and that its position is consistent with the February 2023 statement. The Club said it has respected due process for eight years, expecting an independent regulator to act impartially.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak vows to fight Premier League verdict
Christian Purslow, speaking on Radio 4’s Today programme, warned that the nine seasons of alleged breaches have cost every Premier League rival, estimating each league place at £3 million. He argued that teams finishing fifth missed out on tens of millions, while relegated sides suffered even larger losses, and that the cumulative impact could spiral out of control.