Manchester City will soon find out the verdict of the commission who have been tasked with looking into their alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules
Erling Haaland has revealed that Manchester City have given him “a good feeling” in their battle to beat the 130 charges laid against them by the Premier League. Haaland signed a nine-and-a-half year contract with the champions in January with the Blues waiting to hear the verdict of an independent tribunal after a 12-week hearing into claims of serious financial mismanagement at the Etihad.
City have insisted they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence since being charged by the Premier League more than two years ago. But it has been suggested that they could face a points deduction of up to 100 points if the most serious allegations are found to be true.
There have also been claims that they could be stripped of some of their eight Premier League titles and would face compensation claims from other clubs. But Haaland, on international duty with Norway, insisted that he had no doubts about City’s innocence when he signed his long-term deal.
Asked why he opted to commit himself to City with the 130 charges still hanging over the club, Haaland said: “I have said about 300 times why I signed a nine-and-a-half year contract. I spoke to the club, got a good feeling, and agreed to it in the end. That’s why.”
City have not been including get-out clauses for players during contract negotiations or transfer talks. They insist it is business as usual at the club.
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Haaland is so confident in City getting the outcome they want that his new deal saw the release clause in his previous contract removed. Speaking after putting pen to paper in January, he said: “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody. I also want to thank Pep, his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years. They have made this such a special place to be and now I am City no matter what.”
Guardiola appears similarly confident, having himself signed a new two-year contract with the Premier League champions earlier this season. However, if they are found guilty then the commission has unlimited powers, which include a massive points deduction or relegation.
A verdict is expected soon, with Guardiola stating on February 7: “In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence, After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”
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