Manchester City found guilty on all but one of 115 charges as chair vows fight goes on

Manchester City have been found guilty on all but one of 115 charges laid by the Premier League. News of the verdict broke on Friday, ending years of waiting for a decision.

The charges were first laid in February 2023. They relate to breaches of the league’s financial regulations, the rules that control how clubs record income and spending, according to The Athletic.

City are expected to appeal. The club said the process remains ongoing after the reports emerged, according to Reuters.

Chair Khaldoon Al Mubarak gave his first response on Saturday afternoon. Writing on social media, he said “nothing has changed”. He added that the club’s “confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began”, according to The Guardian.

Enzo Maresca answered with philosophy. He posted an “I know nothing” message after the verdict broke. On Instagram, he shared the Socrates quote “The only thing I know is that I know nothing”, followed by the words “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn”.

Longtime City fan Noel Gallagher said he was surprised and sad to learn the club had been found guilty on all but one charge. Former City chair David Bernstein, who led the club from 1998 to 2003, said “money is not sufficient” in terms of a potential punishment.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy described the case as unsettling for football fans. She said she hopes for a swift resolution.

For fans of every club, this feels strange. The goals and titles are in the history books. Now the argument moves to appeal rooms and rule books.

What comes next is still unclear. No sanction has been confirmed. City maintain they will keep fighting the verdict.