Erling Haaland delivers a defiant message on Man City's 115 FFP charges, highlighting his record-breaking 9.5-year contract.
Erling Haaland has reaffirmed his belief in Manchester City’s innocence amid ongoing financial charges against the club.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Once again, Haaland has dismissed the 115 Premier League charges against Manchester City as irrelevant to his trust in the club. The Norwegian recently committed to a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year contract until 2034—the longest ever offered by a major club—and when asked about the issue during international duty, he pointed to his contract as proof of his confidence in City’s project.
WHAT ERLING HAALAND SAID
Haaland said: “I don’t [doubt the club], obviously, when I sign a nine-and-a-half-year contract. 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.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The 115 Premier League charges against Manchester City, linked to alleged financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, remain unresolved. The hearing concluded in December, but the independent panel responsible for determining any wrongdoing has yet to deliver a verdict. City are accused of not providing accurate financial data, with long-standing claims—originating from a series of explosive reports by German outlet Der Spiegel in 2018—that the club artificially inflated revenue to exceed permitted spending limits.
WHAT NEXT?
Manchester City have consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding the charges, and the lengthy legal process may still take time to conclude. Regardless of the verdict, it is likely to face further challenges or appeals. Even if City are found guilty, potential sanctions—technically unlimited—may not be enforced immediately. There is no confirmed timeline for the decision, though Pep Guardiola has previously suggested it could arrive by the end of March, which is now just days away. When the verdict is eventually released, it is expected to be highly explosive due to its contents.
