Uncertainty at Montilivi as City’s future looms over Girona

The debate in the Forum Montilivi intensifies as Manchester City awaits a sanction that could affect all clubs in the City Football Group, including Girona, which competes in the Segunda División. The uncertainty is reflected in the concern of officials and fans of the Catalan club.

The legal and financial link between City and Girona

City Football Group, controlled by a holding company based in Abu Dhabi, has owned 47 % of Girona's shares since 2020, after acquiring them in 2017. Luis Carlos Sánchez, professor of Sports Economics at the University of Oviedo, explains that although each club maintains operational independence, management is subordinate to City's results.

According to Sánchez, Girona has one of the highest budgets in the division (37 million) and the highest wage cap (35 million), but its sustainability depends on City's performance, not on its own successes.

Risks of a possible sanction to City

Manchester City faces 114 charges for breaching fair play and, in the absence of appeals from the “citizen” who consider themselves innocent, the sanction could be imposed on the club itself. If City were to be relegated to the Segunda, the network of satellite teams would lose its purpose, Sánchez warns.

The professor also notes that, if City were sold, the new owner might not share the same interests, which would jeopardize Girona's continuity under the group's umbrella.

The vice‑president of the Girona Supporters' Federation, Cristóbal Sánchez, confirms that fans are “concerned” and that the possible repercussions are still being discussed at Montilivi.

A spokesperson for the blanc-i-vermella parish raised in the WhatsApp group of the 25 affiliated supporters' clubs questions such as: “What will happen to Girona's shares if City performs poorly?” and “What if the City Group disappears?”.

Facing the lack of clarity, Girona awaits the decision on the sanction to City to define its short‑ and medium‑term strategy, while the community continues to monitor the development of the legal proceedings that could reshape the group's structure.