By Adegboyega Adeleye
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has urged the club’s fans to remain positive and “stick together” after the Premier League champions were found guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches.
An independent commission found City guilty of all charges brought against them over alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, with the club subsequently lodging an appeal against the verdict.
City have maintained that they are “innocent”, describing the commission’s judgement as an “opinion” and claiming it contains “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact”.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Haaland urged City supporters to stand by the club and look ahead despite the verdict.
“They’re going to have a good time.
“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.
“So 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,” Haaland said.
The independent commission found that between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, City arranged what it described as “sham” contracts with several commercial partners as part of a “disguised funding scheme” to artificially inflate the club’s revenues by £830 million. City have appealed the verdict.
Haaland, who is the son of former Manchester City player Alf-Inge Haaland, also stressed his connection with the club and the city.
“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 Norway international also looked ahead to City’s Premier League clash with Liverpool, describing the fixture as special.
“It’s always special to play against Liverpool. Especially with Pep and Klopp. I remember sitting in Salzburg and Dortmund and watching the games, how much they pushed each other. It’s always special games there.
“I won there, I drew there, I lost. So it’s always special, and every Premier League game is different, and every game against Liverpool is always special.”
City are scheduled to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
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