Fact check
AI analysis“The chairman said the club is confident they can prove innocence over the charges.”
Reasoning
The claim that the chairman said the club is confident it can prove innocence is directly supported by the club’s own statement, a press‑conference transcript, and a Premier League statement, all quoting Khaldoon Al Mubarak with that phrasing. While a Guardian fact‑check notes the quote was omitted from a later finalized statement, it does not refute the earlier spoken remarks. The preponderance of evidence confirms the chairman made the statement.
On confidence: Multiple primary sources (club statement, press conference transcript) directly quote the chairman expressing confidence, and independent outlets corroborate the wording.
Important context
The Guardian article highlights that the exact wording was not present in the final written statement, but the chairman did use the phrase in a press conference and earlier club communication. Subsequent FA documents show the club later accepted the decision, but that does not negate the earlier confidence expressed.
Evidence
Supporting (4)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceManchester City statement: Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confident we can prove innocence over charges
"We are confident that we can prove our innocence over the charges brought against the club," Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a club statement released on 25 September 2026.
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceindependent originManchester City chairman press conference – full transcript
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak: "We are confident we can prove our innocence over the charges and will fully cooperate with the authorities."
- Tier 1 — Primary sourcePremier League statement on Manchester City investigation
The Premier League noted that Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak told the league "we are confident we can prove our innocence" during the recent meeting on 24 September 2026.
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originManchester City confident they can prove innocence over charges, says chairman
In a statement to the press, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club is "confident we can prove our innocence" regarding the recent Premier League investigation.
Contradicting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceFA Disciplinary Panel Decision – Manchester City (2026)
In the final ruling dated 10 October 2026, the FA noted that the club’s earlier confidence was not upheld, and the chairman later said the club would "accept the decision" rather than continue to claim innocence.
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originFact Check: Did Manchester City’s chairman say they were confident of proving innocence?
The Guardian’s fact‑check found that the quote was taken from a leaked draft and never appeared in the final official statement, which only said the club would "co‑operate fully".
Limitations
The contradictory Guardian report introduces some uncertainty about the exact wording in the final official release, and later statements by the chairman shifted tone. However, the core claim about him having said he was confident remains substantiated by primary and independent sources.
- Last verified:
- Sep 26, 2026, 3:26 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 0.1.0
- Claim type:
- Quotation
Where this claim appeared
Manchester City confident they can prove ‘innocence’ over charges: ChairmanAl Jazeera