Erling Haaland has reinforced his confidence in Manchester City's innocence regarding the 115 financial charges the club currently faces. Speaking while on international duty, the Norwegian striker made it clear that the ongoing investigation had no impact on his decision to sign an unprecedented nine-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
"I don't [doubt the club], obviously, when I sign a nine-and-a-half-year contract," Haaland stated firmly. "I've said 300 times why I signed the contract. I talked to the club, got a good feeling and agreed to it in the end. That's why."
The contract, which will keep Haaland at Manchester City until 2034, represents the longest deal ever offered by a major football club, highlighting the mutual commitment between the player and the organization despite the cloud of financial allegations.
The charges against City relate to alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018. While the case was heard and concluded in December, the independent panel assessing any potential guilt has yet to announce a decision. The club stands accused of failing to provide accurate financial information, with allegations stemming from a series of articles published by German outlet Der Spiegel in 2018 suggesting that City artificially inflated revenue to enable spending beyond normal permitted levels.
Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the process. The resolution of this case may still take considerable time, as any verdict is likely to face further challenges or appeals. Even if City were found guilty, potential sanctions—which are theoretically unlimited—might not be implemented for an extended period.
There is currently no official timeframe for when the verdict will be announced, although City manager Pep Guardiola has previously suggested optimistically that it might come by the end of March, which is now just days away. When the final document detailing the verdict is eventually released, it has been suggested that it could "explode" due to its contents.
Haaland's unwavering support and long-term commitment to Manchester City demonstrate his belief in the club's future regardless of the ongoing investigation's outcome.
