Man City Fans Divided Following Premier League Guilty Verdict

Supporters split over Premier League ruling

Manchester City supporters are processing the news after the Premier League found the club guilty of breaking financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The verdict was published last week, and City filed an appeal shortly after. Supporters now face deep uncertainty about the future.

Former England striker Gary Lineker expressed sympathy for the fanbase. He noted that it is always the fans that suffer from these things, which is sad.

Opinions across the fan base are divided. Podcaster David Mooney said he felt anger, stating that leaders lied to supporters and acted with contempt toward the club. In contrast, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano continue to assert City's innocence. Soriano even mentioned a Premier League conspiracy theory in a video sent to staff.

Fear of sanctions and damage to reputation

The club could face severe punishments, including losing titles or facing relegation. Fan Steven McInerney acknowledged feeling nervous and let down, though he noted it is a fan's job to support the team. Former winger Shaun Wright Phillips said it hurts that the club has been tarnished, adding that he feels gutted for the fans.

Relegation is not a new concept for older City fans. Anyone who regularly watched the team between 1982 and 2002 saw them relegated five times. The club even spent the 1998 to 1999 season in the third division. However, younger fans born after 2000 have only seen silverware, making any potential fall much more daunting.

Standing up to club leadership

Supporters have shown they are willing to challenge club officials when necessary. In April 2025, several fans at a home game against Leicester City staged a protest against ticket price increases by staying in the concourses for the first ten minutes. That action led to club bosses freezing ticket prices a year later.

Following the recent guilty verdict, the Manchester City Supporters Union released a statement calling on fans to support one another and stay strong together in the uncertain times ahead.

Around 2,000 supporters will travel to Anfield this Sunday as City take on Liverpool. It will be the first game since the ruling was published.

What it means for the next game

Liverpool vs Manchester City (Premier League, Sun, 11 Oct): Liverpool win 32%, draw 26%, Manchester City win 43%; expected goals 1.36 to 1.61. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.

Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League, Wed, 14 Oct): Manchester City win 45%, draw 24%, Paris Saint-Germain win 31%; expected goals 1.79 to 1.45. Our safest pick: Over 1.5 goals.