Erling Haaland shares a strong message with fans after Man City’s guilty verdict
Erling Haaland has asked Manchester City fans to “stick together” and “stay positive” after the club was found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Last month, it was announced that an independent commission found City guilty of all the charges. Between 2009-10 and 2017-18, the club was involved in “sham” contracts with commercial partners to boost their revenue by £830 million in a “disguised funding scheme.”
City has already said they will appeal the decision. The Premier League said the appeal will stay private until the results are released. The hearing usually finishes within 12 weeks, with a decision shared within 30 days after that, but this can change if needed.
Before City’s trip to Liverpool, Haaland shared a message for the fans. “I think the fans traveling to Anfield will have a good time,” he said on City’s channel. “We have to stick together, support each other, and stay positive. No matter what happens, keep smiling, look ahead, enjoy the games, and try to win. Spread love to each other, enjoy the ride, and smile.”
Haaland also spoke about his connection to Manchester. “I care a lot about this place and the UK,” he said. “My mum and dad lived here for ten years, although not in Manchester — they were in Nottingham and Leeds. My dad trained at Carrington every day. I spent my first four years here, my brother nine, and my sister six, so it’s special for us. I care a lot about City and the fans because I’m a fan too.”
It’s still not clear if Haaland will be ready for the Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday after he asked to be taken off during Norway’s game against Portugal.
He’s been given a short break before returning to the Etihad Campus on Thursday, according to The Sun. Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken said Haaland was offered to come off the bench against Portugal but chose to start instead. “Erling might’ve played the last 45 minutes, but he wasn’t feeling right about it,” Solbakken said. “He had bad feelings since he was put on late in the League Cup before, and it didn’t go well.”