Manchester City confident they can prove ‘innocence’ over charges: Chairman

Man City to appeal the 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules, and chairman says club are confident of success.Manchester ‌‌‌‌City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club is confident of proving their innocence, the ⁠⁠⁠⁠day after media reported ⁠⁠⁠that ⁠City had been found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules in a long-running case.In an open letter to supporters on Saturday, Al Mubarak ⁠⁠⁠⁠said the process was far from over and City’s confidence in proving the club’s innocence “is just as strong as when this began”.“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,” Al Mubarak said.“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.”City, who ‌‌‌‌have always denied any wrongdoing, are expected to appeal the decision of the independent panel in a case that has hung over English football for years.A guilty verdict would rank among the most significant rulings in the sport’s history, raising far-reaching questions about financial regulation, competitive integrity and the league’s ability to enforce its rules against one of its most successful clubs.Al Mubarak said he was limited in what he could say about the case because of the strict confidentiality ⁠⁠⁠⁠of the legal process.“Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make ⁠⁠⁠⁠sure it complies,” he said.“I ask you to please carefully read the statement … which we gave on Friday and the statement we issued in February 2023 …” which he included in the open letter. “Every word matters and holds true.”