Erling Haaland has repeatedly made clear he is unfazed by the 115 charges facing Manchester City, as reports emerged on Friday that the club had been found guilty on all but one of the charges levelled by the Premier League.
The charges, concerning alleged financial breaches from 2009 until 2018, were initially announced in 2023. A 12-week hearing was conducted by an independent three-person commission between September and December 2024. Sanctions remain unknown, and City will have the right to appeal the reported decision, having consistently denied the allegations.
Club statement reaffirms stance
A club statement read: "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 statement added: "The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
Haaland's past comments
Despite the alleged breaches pre-dating Haaland's move to City in 2022, the Norwegian national team have reportedly withdrawn the striker from a press conference ahead of their Nations League fixture against Portugal on Sunday. While the U-turn in his schedule prevents Haaland from offering an immediate response, the City star has provided telling comments on several occasions that made his position clear.
The 26-year-old penned a nine-and-a-half-year deal in January 2025, the longest contract in Premier League history. Haaland insisted the 115 charges had played no part in his negotiations with the club.
"No, I haven't thought of that or anything," he said at a press conference shortly after signing his contract. "I am confident that the club know what they are doing and I really don't think I should speak too much about this."
Striker trusts club leadership
The striker, who has netted 169 goals in 205 appearances for City, maintained his position during an international break in March 2025. He explained he had no concerns about City potentially facing punishment for the alleged breaches, following his conversations with the club.
"I don't do that, obviously, when I sign a nine-and-a-half-year contract," Haaland told reporters. "I've said 300 times why I signed the contract. I talked to the club, got a good feeling and agreed to it in the end. That's why."
That summer, he reaffirmed his position when quizzed about the charges once again. Haaland stated he had been happy to extend his stay at City based on what he had been informed about the ongoing case.
"I spoke with the bosses, and in the end, I believe them," Haaland said to TIME Magazine in July 2025. "It's such a tricky situation for me to even sit there and speak about, because I wasn't really involved in it. So I think the club knows what they're doing. They will sort it out."
City's most recent update confirms the club's stance remains unchanged from the statement issued in February 2023, which read: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with."
The statement continued: "The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
