Shock, Anxiety, and Uncertainty: How Manchester City Staff Reacted to the Charges Ruling

Manchester City staff have been left deeply shaken by the unexpected severity and damning findings of an independent commission's report, which found the club guilty of the vast majority of charges brought by the Premier League back in February 2023. A palpable sense of dread now pervades the club, fueled by fears over job security and the organization's long-term future, as well as the anticipated hostility from rival supporters.

Although news of the verdict leaked four days prior to its official release, club personnel were wholly unprepared for the blistering tone of the commission. In the 40-page ruling, the hierarchy's conduct was torn apart. The word "sham" was used no fewer than eight times to describe illicit funding arrangements, through which roughly £830 million from the ownership was funneled into the club masked as sponsorship revenue.

"What shocked me most was the sheer ferocity of the language used by the commission to describe the club's actions. We had known about these charges for a long time and prepared for various outcomes, but no one saw this coming. I'm still reeling from the brutality of the findings, and that is what terrifies me the most," one employee told The Telegraph.

Particularly devastating was the panel's comprehensive rejection of Manchester City's defense. The commission deliberately placed the word "explanations" in quotation marks and concluded that the narrative offered by the club was fabricated long after the events took place, devised solely to conceal the reality of the improper financial mechanisms.

While senior executives had learned of the outcome well in advance—reportedly as early as July—even chief executive Ferran Soriano appeared visibly unsettled. Witnesses described him as "combative, yet put in an acutely awkward position" when the news broke during the 33rd European Club Association General Assembly in Copenhagen.

Manchester City's legal team is preparing to vigorously challenge the "sham" characterization during the upcoming appeal process, insisting the club holds comprehensive and irrefutable proof of its innocence. However, while the legal battle continues, staff across the club and the wider City Football Group are left dealing with the fallout from one of the most explosive scandals in world football.

The spectrum of possible penalties is severe—spanning from potential expulsion from the Premier League and relegation down the pyramid to massive points deductions and unprecedented financial sanctions. Any of these outcomes carries catastrophic risks for commercial revenue and staff job security.

Conversations with frontline staff point to an overwhelming atmosphere of tension and anxiety. Many concede the topic dominates every conversation, yet they refuse to speak publicly due to fears of personal repercussions and strict internal media embargoes. Most prefer to wait until every legal avenue is exhausted before discussing the situation beyond their immediate families.

In an internal video message circulated after the report was released, Ferran Soriano sought to calm nerves. He acknowledged that the situation was inevitably unsettling, but urged employees to stay focused on their daily responsibilities and look out for the wider club community.

The scale of the enterprise is immense: latest official figures up to June 30, 2025, show that City Football Group employs 2,647 people (including playing squads) across its 12 clubs, with an annual wage bill of £630.5 million. Of that total, 670 work directly for Manchester City—252 in football operations and 418 in commercial and administrative roles. For many, the club is not just an employer but a lifelong football passion, making the shock of the crisis all the more painful.

City's transformation following the 2008 Abu Dhabi takeover was witnessed firsthand by long-serving staff at the Etihad Stadium. Over that period, a strong sense of loyalty and trust in senior management took root, with many recalling the organization's steadfast support during difficult times.

Manchester City became the first Premier League club to pledge not to furlough non-playing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Former manager Pep Guardiola highlighted that stance late last season when articulating his deep attachment to the club. Critics, however, argue that such benevolence was only possible due to the financial irregularities that the independent panel has now condemned.

Guardiola is expected to be in the stands at the Etihad for the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on October 14. This will mark the club's first home fixture since the seismic verdict was delivered, as well as the Spanish manager's first return to Manchester since stepping down at the end of last season after a trophy-laden decade at the helm.

His planned appearance against the French giants is being viewed by fans and leadership alike as a resounding show of solidarity in the wake of the damning report. Guardiola, after whom the stadium's North Stand is named, took to Instagram to reaffirm his unwavering support: "I want every single Manchester City supporter across the globe to know that I am here—more than ever. I have always stood, I stand now, and I will continue to stand behind my club, behind the owner, chairman, CEO Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, manager Enzo Maresca, and behind you—our unmatched fans. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. Love you all."

The club has formally launched an appeal after being found guilty of breaching over 100 Premier League financial regulations. Broad confidence remains among staff in chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who issued an open letter to supporters ahead of the ruling reaffirming the club's unwavering resolve to clear its name.

Behind the scenes, comparisons are already being drawn to February 2020, when UEFA issued Manchester City a two-year Champions League ban, only for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn the penalty five months later. While some employees draw hope from that precedent, others remain deeply alarmed by the sheer weight of the commission's findings. Should the current appeal fail, the case could ultimately be taken to the High Court.

Meanwhile, new manager Enzo Maresca and his squad are bracing for a fiercely hostile atmosphere at Anfield, where they face Liverpool on Sunday in their first match since the scandal erupted. Maresca will hold a team meeting on Thursday once international players return from duty.

Nearly 80 per cent of City's current squad arrived after the financial charges were originally leveled. While the average age of the outfield squad is between 24 and 25, and many are accustomed to high-stakes pressure, the coming months will test their resolve like never before. Despite executive efforts to project business as usual, the club is entering an unprecedented period of uncertainty.

The Telegraph