No Premier League appetite to strip Man City of titles - but threat remains

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak sent a message to supporters Saturday as the club confronts the possibility of losing its major case with the Premier League over alleged financial infractions. City has been deemed guilty of nearly all 100-plus charges, which could lead to hefty penalties like a steep points deduction or even expulsion from the English top-flight soccer division.

Despite these allegations, City maintains its innocence and Al Mubarak reiterated that stance in a letter to fans. He stated, “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,” but shared that confidentiality issues prevent him from providing further details.

“While some people have been too hasty in drawing their own conclusions, and there's much commotion surrounding us, nothing has changed,” Al Mubarak commented. “We've faced difficulties together before and have emerged victorious. There remain those who aim to undermine our club's progress. We will not allow them to succeed.” The Premier League accused City in February 2023 of providing deceptive financial information over a nine-year span from 2009-18.

Speculations about City's financial affairs have shadowed the Abu Dhabi-owned club since leaked emails and documents, likely obtained illicitly, were released starting in 2018 by German magazine Der Spiegel. The documents allegedly revealed City's attempts to obscure the origins of revenue from deals linked to the Abu Dhabi ruling family, which acquired the club in 2008 and has since invested billions on top-tier players over the ensuing two decades.

In 2020, UEFA found City guilty of "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play rules from 2012-16, but a two-year ban was later revoked by the Court of Arbitration for Sport due to rejected allegations or issues with the timing of the investigation. The Premier League's case, which accuses City of over 100 breaches including providing false financial information and failing to cooperate in the probe, has been ongoing for over three years.

City has been England's dominant team over the past 15 years, clinching eight Premier League titles since 2012 and winning the Champions League in 2023. During the relevant period — 2009-18 — City triumphed in the league three times, in 2012, 2014, and 2018.