Manchester City supporters in Manchester and abroad react to verdict on 8 October 2026

Manchester City supporters in Manchester and abroad reacted on 8 October 2026 to a verdict involving the club, expressing a mix of loyalty, anger and concern over the owners' conduct. While many said they still back the team, several fans warned the owners’ actions risk causing lasting division within the fanbase.

Longtime supporter Nicola Schofield warned the situation could split supporters in a way unlike past hardships, saying: "One of my (million) concerns, as someone who feels angry with the owners, is if the owners’ strategy causes a split in the fanbase." She contrasted the present dispute with the shared experience of relegation in the 1990s and added: "I think ultimately all fans want to ensure our club still exists, but I do worry at divisions this could cause and that might be hard to heal."

A season-ticket holder identified only as Ben described shock and confusion at the outcome, adding: "I trusted the club completely and believed every word they said in response to the charges, so this has hit hard." He also questioned the fairness of financial rules—"I still think the FFP [financial fair play] rules aren’t fair and never have been"—but insisted on the value of supporters' memories: "Those memories are ours and no verdict changes that." He listed what those memories include: "We lived every moment: Agüero in 2012, the centurions, the treble, Istanbul."

James Blakey, a fan for more than 40 years, recalled promotion at Wembley in 1999 and being in a pub in 2012 split between City and United supporters when Agüero scored, saying those moments produced "the elation, the sweetness, the togetherness and the pride" that defined his support. He acknowledged the verdict has complicated those memories: "I can’t give those memories back," and added, "I’m really sad."

David Mayor, a season-ticket holder who attended the York away in 1998, said he had weathered relegations, a stadium move and changes of ownership across four decades and that familiar routines remained: he still sees the same faces and hears his father "moaning about a wayward pass." On his future as a supporter he said, "I can’t foresee that I will regardless of how it all ends."

Washington-based fan Jon Ashley said distance had a "numbing effect" but that he felt betrayed by club leaders who had "clearly misled the fans for a long time." He called for significant punishment and said: "The severity and duration of City’s offences warrant significant punishment, but the verdict that it took this much sustained rule-breaking and money to prevent United, Arsenal and Liverpool adding to their own trophy cabinets is an indictment on the Premier League." Speaking in a personal capacity, Chris Stalker, chair of New York Sky Blues, described extensive debate among the group of "close to 400 members" and stressed both practical and ethical concerns, saying: "We accept rules have been broken but there are legitimate concerns about why they exist." He noted supporter activity beyond matchdays — the group raised "$25,000 (£19,000) last year for New York Common Pantry" — and reflected on the owners' visible investment in east Manchester: "Never did I expect to see a better player than Colin Bell but I’ve got to witness David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne."

Despite anger and uncertainty, several fans pledged continued support for the club; Ben said, "whatever happens, I’ll still support the team," and Stalker urged unity with the claim: "Owners come and go but we’re City till we die. So let’s act in solidarity and stand together."