Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak says club will prove innocence in 115 charges case
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reaffirmed his belief that the club will prove their innocence in the Premier League's 115 charges case, after reports on Friday suggested most charges had been proven and the process is moving to the appeal stage. Speaking in a statement on Saturday, Al Mubarak told supporters his confidence remains unchanged.
- Who: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak
- What: Statement responding to reports on the Premier League 115 charges case
- When: Saturday, following Friday's media reports
- Where: Manchester City
- Stage: Process reportedly moving to appeal stage; club insists nothing has changed
- Next fixtures: Travel to Anfield in a fortnight, then host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at Etihad Stadium
What was said
"Following Friday's media reporting, many of you will have spent your evening answering questions and responding to messages from friends, family and colleagues. So have I. Here's what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."
"There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies."
"While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity."
"We have some exciting moments to look forward to after this international break. We travel to Anfield in a fortnight, and then host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League back at Etihad Stadium - moments that give us an opportunity to celebrate the strength of the Manchester City family."
"The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and 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 on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
"Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with."
"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
Al Mubarak's words carry a dual purpose. He is reassuring a supporter base that spent Friday evening fielding questions from friends and family, while simultaneously setting a legal marker that City will not accept the reported findings lying down. The chairman's reference to the "strict confidentiality" of the process explains why he cannot answer the specifics supporters crave, but it also shields the club from having to litigate the case in public before the appeal stage concludes.
The timing matters. By pointing to the February 2023 statement, Al Mubarak is stressing that City's legal position has not shifted one inch since the charges were first issued. That consistency is deliberate — it signals to the appeal panel, and to rival clubs, that City believe the underlying evidence remains on their side regardless of what Friday's reports claimed.
Tactical and legal analysis: why City are holding the line
Khaldoon Al Mubarak has chosen a familiar playbook. He addresses supporters directly, acknowledges the emotional toll of the reporting, and then pivots to the football. Naming the trip to Anfield and the Champions League visit of Paris Saint-Germain is not accidental. It reframes the narrative around matches City can control, rather than a legal process they cannot influence publicly.
From a legal standpoint, the reported move to the appeal stage is significant. It means the club still has a formal route to challenge any adverse findings, and City's insistence that "significant elements remain to be completed" suggests they believe the process is far from over. The confidentiality clause is doing heavy lifting here — it prevents City from revealing their defence, but it also prevents the Premier League from being seen to have won a PR battle before the final verdict.
For the squad, the challenge is mental. City travel to Anfield in a fortnight and then host PSG. Those are exactly the kind of high-pressure fixtures where off-field noise can either galvanise a group or distract it. Al Mubarak's message is clearly designed to ensure the former. Whether it works will be evident on the pitch.
Talking points
- City's refusal to detail their defence behind the confidentiality clause is understandable legally, but does it leave supporters more anxious than a partial explanation would?
- If the process is genuinely moving to appeal, does that suggest the club expects to overturn any adverse findings, or is it simply due process?
- Al Mubarak's claim that "nothing has changed" since 2023 will be tested by how City perform at Anfield and against PSG after the international break.
- Rival clubs will note that City's public stance remains utterly unchanged — does that harden their resolve to see the case through to a final verdict?
What happens next
Manchester City's immediate focus switches to the Premier League trip to Anfield in a fortnight, followed by a Champions League home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad Stadium. The 115 charges case reportedly moves to the appeal stage, and City's legal team will continue to work within the confidentiality constraints Al Mubarak described. For supporters, the next concrete update will come from the process itself — not from the club, which has made clear it will not be commenting further in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What did Khaldoon Al Mubarak say about the 115 charges?
He said: "The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began." He also said "nothing has changed" despite the recent reports.
Is the Manchester City 115 charges case moving to appeal?
According to Sky Sports News, the process is understood to be moving to the appeal stage after reports claimed most of the charges were found to have been proven. City's chairman insists the club's position remains unchanged.
When do Manchester City play next after the international break?
Al Mubarak confirmed City travel to Anfield in a fortnight, then host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.
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