Erling Haaland has delivered a rallying cry to Manchester City supporters during one of the most turbulent periods in the club's recent history, telling them to
stick together, enjoy the ride and smileas the organisation fights back against a damning financial verdict.
The Norwegian striker's message comes as City formally mounted a challenge against an independent commission's findings that found the club guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations. On 1 October, Manchester City confirmed they lodged a comprehensive appeal at 7pm, maintaining their innocence and asserting that the commission's decision contains fundamental legal and factual errors.
In their official response, City stated they are
innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The club further claimed the verdict
contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
What the commission found
The independent panel determined that between 2009/10 and 2017/18, Manchester City orchestrated what it described as
shamcontracts with numerous commercial partners as part of a
disguised funding schemedesigned to artificially boost the club's recorded revenues.
According to reporting on the financial breakdown, Abu Dhabi sponsors paid £119.25m of the £949.94m recorded in club accounts, with the remaining £830.69m originating from the Abu Dhabi United Group, the investment vehicle of City owner Sheikh Mansour. The commission also found City guilty of three of the four charges concerning failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.
The Premier League's investigation dates back to 2018, with the commission's verdict arriving after a process spanning almost two years.
City's position on the process
Manchester City has challenged the impartiality of the proceedings themselves. In their statement released on 29 September, the club declared:
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.
The club added that it
will be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forumsand noted that
the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted.
The appeal timeline and potential duration
City's legal team has signalled they may challenge whether the accelerated appeals process introduced this season should apply to their case. Since the club was charged in 2023 and the hearing took place in 2024, before the new expedited rules were added to the Premier League Handbook, City's lawyers could argue that the original timescales should govern their appeal.
A legal expert consulted by Sky Sports News indicated that Manchester City would have a strong argument for this position. The new rules were designed to ensure clubs face punishment in the same season as relevant breaches occurred.
Under the current framework, a three-person independent appeal panel will hear City's case in private. The rules stipulate the hearing should conclude within 12 weeks of the appeal being lodged, with a decision due within 30 days after proceedings end. However, if City successfully argues that the old timescales apply, the process could extend considerably further into 2027.
Haaland's message to supporters
Despite the off-field turmoil, Haaland and his teammates prepare for a crucial fixture at Anfield on Sunday, with the match broadcast live on Sky Sports. When asked what he would communicate to City fans during this period, the striker offered words of encouragement and unity.
They're going to have a good time. 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. So we have to stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game. We have to stick together; we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah: stick together, and enjoy the ride and smile.
Haaland, whose father Alf-Inge Haaland played for City, emphasised his personal connection to the club and its supporters.
I care a lot about the city, I have to say. I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself, and I feel with them as well.
The Liverpool fixture and rivalry context
The Anfield encounter holds particular significance given the intense rivalry that has developed between City and Liverpool during the Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp era. Haaland reflected on the magnitude of these meetings, saying:
It's always special to play against Liverpool. Especially with Pep and Klopp. I remember sitting in Salzburg and Dortmund and watching the games, how much they pushed each other. It's always special games there. I won there, I drew there, I lost. So it's always special, and every Premier League game is different, and every game against Liverpool is always special.
What happens next in the disciplinary process
The commission will hold a separate hearing to consider sanctions against City. Possible penalties include a reprimand, a fine, a points deduction, or expulsion from the Premier League. The outcome of the appeal hearing will determine whether any of these sanctions are imposed, reduced, or overturned.
City's comprehensive appeal represents the beginning of what could be an extended legal and regulatory battle, with the club determined to overturn the verdict and restore its reputation within English football's governing structure.
