Man City’s guilty verdict fuels tense talk between Haaland and Dias

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias were seen in a hushed conversation after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway on Sunday, a meeting that comes just days after the club’s guilty verdict on 28 September 2026 while the Premier League case looms.

Verdict and possible sanctions

Man City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations, points deductions, the stripping of titles and even relegation – one of the harshest outcomes possible.

The club were initially charged in February 2023, with a hearing that concluded in December 2024. Their February statement said they were "surprised" by the charges, and the three‑man panel took three‑and‑a‑half years to reach the verdict.

Players react amid uncertainty

During the post‑match scene, Dias covered his mouth while Haaland shook his head, later using two fingers to make a quotation gesture. Their exact words remain unknown, but the conversation underscored the weight of the Friday verdict on the squad.

Haaland had been scheduled to speak at a press conference ahead of the Portugal clash but was removed from that duty. After signing in 2022, he was asked whether the investigation affected him; he replied, "No, I haven't thought of that or anything. I am confident that the club know what they are doing and I really don't think I should speak too much about this."

Premier League clubs push for multi‑year sanctions on Man City

Former midfielder Rodri, speaking before Spain’s 3‑2 win over England at Wembley, said, "They always express the confidence that they never did something wrong and we believe in that. Until the moment they are proved wrong, we will believe the club." Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak added last week, "Our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."

The squad will not discuss the matter in earnest until they return from the international break, with their next fixture against Liverpool on 11 October. Until then, the players are left to contemplate the looming sanctions.

City are expected to appeal the verdict. The charges, spanning from 2009 to 2023, cover alleged failures to report accurate financial information for nine seasons, to disclose former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay and player payments, and to cooperate with the investigation.

During the Pep Guardiola era, Manchester City won eight Premier League titles, a Champions League, four FA Cups and seven EFL Cups. Guardiola has repeatedly insisted he is fully convinced of the club’s innocence, stating in May, "I trust them, I trust them. Because I spoke with them and I trust how they behave and how they did."