{
  "id": 13046210,
  "title": "Erling Haaland calls for Manchester City fans to ‘stick together’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/erling-haaland-calls-for-manchester-city-fans-to-stick-together",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T06:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/10/09/soccer/haaland-city-fans-message/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manchester, England - Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has called on the club’s supporters to remain united and positive in the face of the team’s recent financial misconduct charges. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Norway forward urged fans to stand by each other and maintain a positive outlook, regardless of the club’s future.\n\nHaaland stated, “We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile.” The independent commission found that City engaged in “sham” contracts with commercial partners, artificially inflating the club’s revenues and reducing its costs by over £900 million. Haaland, whose father also played for City, emphasized his deep connection to the club and the UK, expressing pride in supporting his fans.\n\nHe continued, “I care a lot about this place, and the UK generally, I care a lot about the fans because I’m a fan myself, and I feel with them as well.” City currently leads the Premier League by three points over Liverpool, with a crucial match at Anfield on Sunday against a rival club they have historically clashed with under previous managers. Haaland highlighted the significance of such encounters, saying, “It’s always special to play against Liverpool, especially with Pep and Klopp. I remember watching those games and seeing how they pushed each other.” For Haaland, every Premier League match and every game against Liverpool holds its own unique significance.",
  "summary": "City has appealed against the independent commission's verdict, insisting the judgment contained \"clear material errors, of law, principle and fact.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Haaland and Maresca address Man City's guilty verdicts for first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/haaland-and-maresca-address-man-citys-guilty-verdicts-for-first-time",
        "published": "2026-10-08T23:27:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘We have to stick together’: Haaland sends message to Man City squad after financial-rules verdict",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/we-have-to-stick-together-haaland-sends-message-to-man-city-squad",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:22:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Haaland calls for unity at Manchester City amid furore over Premier League charges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/haaland-calls-for-unity-at-manchester-city-amid-furore-over-premier",
        "published": "2026-10-09T05:10:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}