Manchester City supporters have reacted to the club's Premier League verdict, with many expressing a determination to stand by the team while others voice concerns about the impact of the owners' actions on the fanbase. The club was found to have breached financial fair play (FFP) rules, a decision that has sparked a range of emotions among fans.
Mixed emotions among supporters
Nicola Schofield, a City fan for more than 40 years, said one of her concerns is that the owners' strategy could cause a split in the fanbase. 'I think everyone wants to get behind the club and team, but this is different to the experience of a relegation of the type I experienced in the 90s. We all shared that, and we stood by the club down to League One and as we came back up. This threatens to be messier, with those who may want the owners out (which is its own minefield) to those who will back them all the way. I think ultimately all fans want to ensure our club still exists, but I do worry at divisions this could cause and that might be hard to heal.'
Ben, a season-ticket holder, said he had not fully processed the news. 'I trusted the club completely and believed every word they said in response to the charges, so this has hit hard. I still think the FFP rules aren't fair and never have been. I know that won't get much sympathy from other fans, and I understand why. Most of them have been waiting for this day for years. Whatever happens, nobody can take the last 15 years away from us. We lived every moment: Agüero in 2012, the centurions, the treble, Istanbul. Those memories are ours and no verdict changes that.'
Memories and betrayal
James Blakey, a fan for more than 40 years, recalled the 1999 Second Division playoff final and the 2012 title-winning goal against QPR. He said the latter moment, and many that followed, 'would not have happened without my club cheating on a systemic, industrial scale'. He added: 'I can't give those memories back. But I do know that the richest people in the world thinking that the rules don't apply to them, that they can cheat and then arrogantly chuck endless money at the situation, has nothing to do with what I love about football.'
David Mayor, a season-ticket holder, said he has seen many changes in his 40 years supporting the club, including relegations, stadium move and ownership. He noted that while the game at the highest level has felt morally bankrupt, he cannot foresee walking away. Jon Ashley, a Washington-based fan, said he feels betrayed by City higher-ups who 'have clearly misled the fans for a long time', but he also remembers the 'abject misery' of the 1990s and 2000s and the 'seemingly impossible dream' of competing for trophies.
Ownership and unity
Chris Stalker, chair of New York Sky Blues, speaking in a personal capacity, said the verdict has caused much discussion among the group's close to 400 members. He noted that while rules have been broken, there are concerns about why FFP rules exist, and that the ownership retains credit for the transformation in east Manchester. However, he said there is 'a growing uneasiness' with how fans feel about the ownership, and that a relationship with fans should be built on honesty and integrity. He added: 'As Manchester City we won't be defined by the owners. Owners come and go but we're City till we die. So let's act in solidarity and stand together.'
