Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak discusses 'frustrating' Premier League charges

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has spoken out against the 115 Premier League charges issued to the club.

Al-Mubarak gave an interview to the club’s media team as part of his end-of-season address that was published on the City website.

Pep Guardiola's side clinched an unprecedented fourth league title in a row during the 2023/24 campaign but the charges have been a huge cloud lingering over the club's success for some time now.

City are alleged to have breached financial rules with some of these dating back to 2009.

A Premier League disciplinary commission is expected to hear the case against the Premier League champions later this year, but Al Mubarak expressed his frustrations about the whole process.

“Of course, it’s frustrating,” said Al Mubarak.

“The referencing is always frustrating. I feel for our fanbase and everyone associated with the club to have these charges constantly referenced.

“It’s taking longer than anyone hoped for but there is a process we have to go through. I’ve always repeated, let’s be judged by the facts and not by claims and counterclaims.”

The release of the interview comes a day after a report suggested that City are set to enter a legal battle with the Premier League to end the Premier League's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

The Times revealed that City had compiled a 165-page legal document which claimed that the club had been subjected to "discrimination", and stated that these amended rules had come from "a tyranny of the majority".

The same publication also claims that City are pursuing damages in addition to challenging the rules.

A two-week arbitration hearing is due to start on Monday, June 10.

Meanwhile, Al Mubarak - speaking before The Times report was released - also referenced Guardiola's future after the City boss said he is "closer to leaving than staying" after securing his sixth league title with the club.

"We have had this conversation many times before, you know that, over the years of the contract," Al Mubarak added.

"Pep has always been fully committed to this club, fully committed to every contract that he has signed with us.

"This decision on his future is always a decision that we will take together, and I have no doubt that we will find, as always we have done, the right solution that works for Pep and works for us."

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