Manchester City supporters are beginning to respond after an independent panel upheld more than 100 Premier League charges against the club, with fan groups issuing statements of shock, defiance, and unity.
The Premier League released a 40-page 'core decision' from the independent panel on Tuesday evening that paints the club in a highly critical light. Club bosses remain defiant in claiming their innocence, and CEO Ferran Soriano sent a message to all staff saying the club will be cleared on appeal. However, the panel upheld nearly all of the Premier League's claims, making the situation more uncomfortable for supporters.
Fan groups speak out
Many supporters and legal experts had been waiting for the official verdict before commenting, and many unknowns remain from the 40-page report. Several supporter groups have now issued messages in response to the developments.
City Matters, the official fan advisory board that works regularly with the club, said: "City Matters are shocked and disappointed with the Premier League's statement released today.
"We have made contact with the club, and we welcome the chairman's unwavering commitment to clear the club's name of any wrongdoing and are reassured by club statements that a body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of its position. We urge all City fans to get behind the team over the coming games to show our solidarity and togetherness."
Trust calls for unity
The Citizens Trust, an independent supporters organisation formed earlier this year, said: "The Citizens Trust has read both the Premier League's statement on the verdict which finds Manchester City guilty of the charges, and the club's statement in rebuttal that reiterates their innocence and intent to appeal.
"We are still digesting the full findings of the independent commission, released by the Premier League in redacted format, and we encourage Blues to do the same. Within an hour of the verdict dropping, we had an emergency meeting with the Football Supporters' Association to assist us as we begin to consider our next steps and what this means for the Trust, the City fanbase and our club going forward as we await final outcomes of any sanctions and appeal.
"We will also be engaging with our members and the wider fanbase as soon as possible. This means consulting the membership, gauging opinion and holding an accessible meeting in Manchester City centre in the near future. We all need to look out for each other as supporters in these uncertain times ahead. We need to be strong, together."
