'My heart goes out to fans but the integrity of the football must be upheld': Culture Secretary responds to Man City case as chairman breaks silence

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The football world was rocked on Friday afternoon after reports emerged that the club had been convicted on charges laid out by the Premier League in 2023.

Eight-time domestic champions City have always strenuously denied the charges and a spokesperson said that "significant elements" of their legal case with the Premier League are still to be completed.

Speaking to LBC's Weekend Breakfast with Matthew Wright, Lisa Nandy said it was crucial that the issue was resolved sooner rather than later.

On Saturday afternoon, the club's chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak released a statement in which he told supporters he was still confident of a positive outcome.

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Ms Nandy said: "Obviously City contests the charges and there is a way to go with the process.

"My heart really does go out to football fans, especially City fans who'll be very worried, but all fans who need to know that the game is fair, that the rules are fair, that they're applied consistently, and that the integrity of the game is upheld.

"I'm obviously speaking to the Premier League, speaking to City and other clubs in my capacity as Sports Secretary, and I want to see this resolved as swiftly as possible for the sake of the game."

Reports in The Athletic this morning suggest other Premier League clubs are preparing to take legal action against City in response to the verdict.

Discussions between clubs are said to be "intensifying" about possible compensation claims.

Ms Nandy said: "I've read the same speculation in the papers as everybody else, and I think it is fair to reflect that there is real concern about this across the football world.

"But there is some way to go with this investigation and City contest the charges.

"These rules were drawn up by the Premier League clubs because there was concern that clubs weren't living within their means, and that was not just harming clubs but harming the league.

"The Premier League is one of our most successful exports. It brings joy to millions of people around the world, and the sooner that we can resolve this to make sure that people can have confidence in the game, the better for all of us."

In his statement, Mt Al Mubarak said: "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.

"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.

"There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position.

"But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.

"Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.I ask you to please carefully read the statement below, which we gave on Friday, and the statement we issued in February 2023 (also below). Every word matters and holds true."

City are are expected to appeal the decision, but if it fails, a worst-case scenario could involve a points deduction or even relegation.

However, no sanctions have selected yet and a range of possibilities remain on the table, reports say.

City had been charged with failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as failing to provide full details of former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13.

They were also charged with failing to provide full details of remuneration in contracts with players between 2010-11 and 2015-16, and with failing to co-operate with the investigation over a period from 2018 to 2023.

Following the reports, the Premier League has declined to comment, while a City spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.

“As such, Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.

“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.”

City won three Premier League titles, three League Cups and the FA Cup during the time in question.