Joe Hart backs chairman after statement on Man City financial breaches

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has said he believes the club is innocent of the charges that it broke the Premier League’s financial rules, saying he felt reassured by a statement from the chairman.

The club been under investigation since 2023 over 115 charges concerning breaches of the league’s financial regulations, covering the period 2009-2018, during which time they won eight trophies.

Although the Premier League has released no official statement on a ruling and the process is still ongoing, the verdict is expected to find City guilty of 114 of the charges, according to reports which began circulating last Friday.

The rampant speculation led Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to issue a statement to the club’s supporters on Saturday, which read: “The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.

“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.”

The statement was enough to reassure former City keeper Hart, who told BBC 5 Live: on Monday: “If Man City are found guilty, which I don't think they are because of what Khaldoon said, then there's conversations to be had.

“But right now I'm very confident and very, very calm. I'm very proud of what I've achieved and what I did with Manchester City and what we achieved as a team. And that doesn't change. That doesn't change until you tell me.”

Hart won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cups during his spell at City, making 348 appearances.

Hart described Al Mubarak, who was made chairman after the new ownership took over in 2008, as someone to “trust” and who has “led the club brilliantly”.

He added: “I've heard everyone else go down every single rabbit hole, every single wormhole, every single discussion. My honest opinion is I've got no reason not to trust Khaldoon. What he said is enough for me.

“I loved how he spoke. I loved the letter because that was from someone who cared about the club.”