Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has urged the club’s supporters to remain positive and united following an independent commission’s guilty verdict in the Premier League’s financial rules case.
Haaland delivered the message ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, October 11. The fixture will be the club’s first league match since the commission’s findings were made public.
“We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive,” Haaland told Sky Sports. He added that supporters and players should look ahead, keep smiling and focus on winning football matches.
The Norwegian forward also spoke about his personal connection with Manchester City and its fans, saying he cares deeply about the club and considers himself a supporter as well as a player.
The commission found City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations spanning the period from 2009/10 to 2017/18. Its findings included allegations involving commercial agreements, financial reporting and the club’s cooperation with the league’s investigation.
Manchester City have strongly rejected the accusations and appealed the verdict. The club said it believes the commission’s judgment contains material errors of law, principle and fact, and maintains that evidence supports its position.
The appeal process is expected to be a major development in the case, while any potential sanctions will be considered separately. The final outcome remains uncertain as the club challenges the findings.
On the pitch, City face a demanding test against Liverpool, one of their biggest rivals in recent Premier League seasons. Haaland described matches against Liverpool as special, pointing to the intensity of the fixture and the history between the two clubs.
Despite the off-field controversy, Haaland’s message was focused on unity and football. He encouraged supporters to stand by the team as City prepare for their next matches while the appeal process continues.