A divided fanbase faces an uncertain future
Manchester City supporters find themselves in a difficult spot after the club was found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Following the verdict published last week, fan opinion remains split. Some supporters feel lied to and angry, while others continue to trust chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano.
The club filed an appeal last week, leading many fans to wait before making up their minds. Former England striker Gary Lineker noted that it is always the fans who suffer in these situations. Meanwhile, the Manchester City Supporters Union stated that they will engage with members to gauge opinion, adding that supporters need to stay strong together.
Old memories and new fears
For older supporters, dropping down the divisions is not a new fear. City were relegated five times between 1982 and 2002, spending the 1998 to 1999 campaign in the third tier. Some older fans even remember trips to Chesterfield and Gillingham. However, younger fans born after 2000 have known only trophy wins and success since the 2008 Abu Dhabi takeover.
Beyond possible lost trophies or relegation, supporters face reputational damage. Content creator and fan Steven McInerney admitted feeling nervous and a bit let down about what this means for the future of the club. Around 2,000 fans will travel to watch City face Liverpool on Sunday, where rival fans will certainly taunt them.
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