Erling Haaland Quizzed Over Man City Charges By Norwegian Press

Football’s longest-running legal saga finally drew a verdict a month ago, but it hasn’t produced many answers since.

Manchester City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League in relation to financial fair play breaches. The investigation had been ongoing for some time, and it was officially confirmed by both the club and the league that the guilty verdict had been confirmed.

Since then, nothing else has been announced regarding the case. City has the right to an appeal, which will prolong any sort of punishment for the club, and Enzo Maresca’s side have continued playing their games like there isn’t a huge black cloud looming over their heads.

The club has kept relatively quiet on the topic, trying to shield staff and players from answering any questions in the media about the topic, but that was never going to last, especially when the international break came around.

Key Events Timeline

• November 2018 — Der Spiegel published Football Leaks documents alleging City breached financial fair play rules.
• February 2023 — Premier League charged City with 115 alleged financial breaches spanning 2009 to 2018.
• September 2024 — An independent commission began hearing the case privately in London.
• September 2026 — The commission found City guilty on 114 of the 115 charges.
• October 2026 — City lodged a comprehensive appeal, denying wrongdoing and citing errors of fact.

Haaland Speaks on Charges

REUTERS/Phil Noble

City’s star striker Erling Haaland was asked about the case following his Norway side’s 3-1 win over Wales, in which he scored a penalty. The clip makes for fascinating viewing as the striker explained why it was a question he struggled to find an answer to:

“In 2009, I was playing for Bryne under-nine boys,” Haaland said, before he continued to list each team he was playing for during the years the City charges relate to.

“This is a question I struggle to answer. It is a matter between the Premier League and Manchester City that is going to be dealt with by a panel. Am I supposed to answer that? I’m not really sure.”

He also listed some players who featured for City during the time, but stopped short of giving his own opinion on the matter.

“It’s a difficult question to answer when I don’t really know that much about it. I assume the answers will come in the next … I don’t know when the answers will come. I haven’t read that much about it.

“I’m a City player, and I’m incredibly happy with that.”

What’s Next For City

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The legal process still has some time to run, and it will be a while before we have key figures commenting on the matter.

City have lodged their appeal on the matter, maintaining that they haven’t committed any wrongdoing, with a hearing reportedly coming in December, and a further verdict not expected until 2027.

Considering the club faces 114 charges, it is highly unlikely that the verdict will overturn all of the charges, and a punishment will be coming to the Etihad.

No possible sanctions have been made official yet, with anything from fines to points deductions and possible expulsion from the league.

It could still be many years until a punishment is given to Manchester City, but judging by Haaland’s comments, he sounds happy to stay at the Etihad and wait for the truth to unfold.