MANCHESTER (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – The team cannot take to the pitch during the lengthy international break, but Manchester City now faces one of its most challenging battles. In this case, however, it is the club’s chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who has stepped up, writing a letter to City fans following yesterday’s difficult day, amid reports of the harsh verdict allegedly looming: namely, that City has been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches brought by the Premier League in relation to the period from 2009 to 2018.
“I have been part of this club for 18 years. I have had the privilege of standing alongside you at the Etihad, Wembley and Istanbul,” Al Mubarak wrote, addressing every Manchester City fan. “This club is important to me, and you have shown me just how much it means to you. That is why I am writing to you today.
“Following yesterday’s media reports, many of you will have spent the evening responding to questions and messages from friends, family and colleagues. I told my family that the Premier League process still has a long way to go, and that our confidence and determination to prove the club’s innocence are as strong as they have been since the very beginning of this entire affair.”
The Citizens’ chairman, therefore, says that the investigation is still ongoing and that the club’s lawyers remain confident they can prove the company’s innocence in the face of allegations that it repeatedly breached financial regulations.
“There are so many things I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident,” Al Mubarak continued, “but the strict confidentiality surrounding the legal process, and our determination to respect it, means that I cannot do so at this time.
“This letter, too, has been subject to several legal reviews to ensure that everything remained within the appropriate boundaries. Yesterday, some people immediately jumped to their conclusions. There are a lot of rumours surrounding us, but nothing has changed.
“We have faced challenges of this kind together before, and we have prevailed. There are many people who want to stop our club, but we will not give them that opportunity.
“Exciting times lie ahead after this international break. We will be at Anfield in 15 days, and then we will host PSG in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium. These will be moments that give us the opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Manchester City family.”
Al Mubarak once again thanked the fans for their “continued support” and then urged them to carefully read two statements. The first concerns yesterday’s media reports.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed, and is 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, in the belief that the Premier League Board and Executive would conduct themselves as an independent, impartial and fair-minded body, free from partisan influence,” read yesterday’s statement.
There is also the statement issued in February 2023, when the investigation into the 115 alleged breaches was launched. On that occasion, the club expressed its surprise at the allegations, maintaining that it had already provided the League and English football authorities with answers to all the issues raised. Nevertheless, it added:
“We welcome the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of our position. We look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
