- Man City managers told their players the club would not lose ‘the court case of the century’
- Former City star Laporte said they were reassured there was nothing to worry about
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Manchester City managers told their players that the club would not lose the ‘test match of the century’ against the Premier League, which finally starts on Monday.
The champions are set to be arraigned on 115 charges relating to alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018 at an independent hearing at an undisclosed location.
And now Aymeric Laporte, a five-time champion at City who was part of the 2022-23 Treble squad before joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has revealed the players were adamant there was nothing wrong.
“When I was there and the news broke, the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain) and the CEO (Ferran Soriano) came to tell all the players and staff that we could all remain very calm because Man City had not broken any rules,” the defender told Mail Sport.
‘They told us everything was fine, so that’s why we all think City will be fine. I don’t think there will be any problems.
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano (right) has reportedly told players they have nothing to worry about as the club’s trial into 115 allegations of financial irregularities begins on Monday.
Former City player Aymeric Laporte says club managers say ‘no rules have been broken’
‘As Pep Guardiola always says, if something wrong has been done, they will have to pay for it.’
City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation and face a trial that could shake the sport to its foundations.
City have won eight league titles since 2012, including six of the last seven, in an unprecedented era of dominance.
The long-awaited hearing is expected to last 10 weeks, with a verdict expected early next year.