Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has urged the club’s supporters to remain positive and stand together following an independent commission’s verdict on the Premier League’s financial charges against the club.
City have challenged the findings, maintaining their innocence and arguing that the commission’s judgment contains what they described as “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact”.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Haaland called on supporters to continue backing the team and focus on football despite the uncertainty surrounding the case.
“We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile,” the Norway international said.
“We have to stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and try to enjoy the situation and win the game.
“We have to stick together; we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah: stick together, and enjoy the ride and smile.”
The dispute centres on allegations of serious financial rule breaches during the period from the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. The supplied report states that the commission found City had arranged commercial agreements described as “sham” contracts as part of an alleged scheme to inflate the club’s revenues by £830 million.
Manchester City have appealed the verdict, disputing the findings and the commission’s conclusions.
Haaland also underlined his connection with the club and its supporters, saying he understood their feelings about the situation.
“I care a lot about the city, I have to say. I care a lot about the fans because I’m a fan myself, and I feel with them as well,” he said.
The striker also looked ahead to City’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool, describing the fixture as special because of the intense contests between the two sides in recent seasons.
“It’s always special to play against Liverpool,” Haaland said, recalling watching their earlier clashes while playing for Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
He added that the fixture had produced different outcomes for him and that every Premier League match presented a fresh challenge.
