Manchester City Football Club is at the center of a major financial scandal after an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the English Premier League.

The Premier League began investigating Manchester City in December 2018 and formally referred the case to an independent commission in February 2023. The commission’s decision was announced Sept. 29, 2026. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing and filed an appeal Oct. 1. A punishment has not yet been announced.

As a Manchester City supporter, I do not want to believe the charges are legitimate. I think the decision is unfair, but I recognize that I am speaking as a fan.

“They’re cheats. Don’t blame it on the players; blame it on the organization”, Liverpool supporter Tzyion Morris ’26 said.

Jace Donawa ’25, an Arsenal supporter, believes the players still deserve recognition for their accomplishments but benefited from advantages their opponents did not have.

“The players still deserve credit for their victories and all of the trophies they won. However, they were given opportunities to have deeper squads to compete at higher levels, which made it a lot harder for everybody else. It’s unfair”, Donawa said.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham was asked in an interview whether the controversy could damage “Brand Manchester”. In his response, Burnham referred to Everton’s punishment for violating the Premier League’s financial rules.

Everton initially received a 10-point deduction in November 2023. An appeal board later reduced the penalty to six points.

Manchester City’s punishment could include a fine, points deduction or another sporting sanction. The sanction will be decided separately, and the club’s appeal remains ongoing.

Amid criticism from supporters of rival clubs, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland encouraged the club and its fans to remain united.

“We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive”, Haaland said.

He encouraged supporters to keep smiling, look ahead and focus on enjoying and winning football matches.

The verdict represents a serious moment in Manchester City’s history, but the case is not finished. Until the appeal and sanctions process concludes, Cityzens will have to wait—and hope that we are going to be all right.