Man City found guilty of majority of 115 financial breaches, fans react
Manchester City have been found guilty of the majority of the 115 financial rule breaches they were charged with in the Premier League's investigation, a decision that emerged on Friday and sent shockwaves around English football. City have denied wrongdoing and BBC Sport has been told they would appeal were they found guilty.
The charges were first brought forward in February 2023 and relate to alleged breaches said to have taken place between 2009 and 2018. During that period, the club won three Premier League titles, including their first in 2011-12, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups. Possible sanctions outlined in coverage include a points deduction, financial penalties or even removal from the Premier League. Supporters, who the article describes as the fabric of the club long before the arrival of the Abu Dhabi ownership group, Pep Guardiola, the recent title triumphs and European success, now face the prospect of those sanctions.
Man City fan David Mooney, from the Blue Moon podcast, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I am a bit shocked and stunned about how to process it." He added: "If Manchester City are guilty then the City fans are just as much the victims in this as everybody else because their feelings have been used as well."
The report notes the current generation of supporters largely know the club for its recent success while earlier fans recall seasons in the old Division Two. The club's promotion via the play-offs at the end of the 1998-99 season followed campaigns against the likes of York City, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield. The article also records that Erling Haaland reached 100 Premier League goals faster than anyone in the competition's history and that City sit top of the table after winning all five of their league games so far.
City fan Matt told 5 Live: "I think I need therapy now. It has escalated over the last few hours. It's so hard to be a die-hard Blue." He also said: "I was there when Paul Dickov scored back in Division Two... If we get titles taken off us, point deductions, we come out of this league, then we will fight until the end. I can't wait to see Erling Haaland bag a hat-trick against Grimsby."
Recalling European finals, the article states City lost the 2021 Champions League final to Chelsea before beating Inter Milan two years later to win the competition. Season ticket holder John said: "I was in Istanbul [for the 2023 Champions League final], that will never be taken away from me what I experienced that day, the build-up to the game and the game, and the day after, and everything that went along with it." Fellow supporter David Wilson told BBC News: "You will never take away all the memories of all those moments and trophies from City fans. What we want as fans is an explanation as to why - if we have been found guilty - we have dragged it out so long."
City's first match after the international break is scheduled to be a trip to Liverpool at Anfield, a fixture supporters referenced when discussing how the club and its fanbase might respond to the verdict. BBC Sport reports the club would pursue an appeal were the guilty findings upheld.
