Erling Haaland has urged Manchester City supporters to remain united and positive after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules, with City preparing to face Liverpool on Sunday, October 11.
The Norwegian striker made the appeal in his first public comments since the verdict was announced on September 29. City have appealed the findings, which relate to financial conduct between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
Furthermore, Haaland urged supporters to stand by the club while it challenges the verdict.
“We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other, and we have to stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile.”
He added that the club and its fans should look ahead and continue supporting one another, urging them to “enjoy the ride and smile” as the case proceeds.
The striker also emphasised his personal connection to the club and its supporters.
“I care a lot about this place, and the UK generally. I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself, and I feel with them as well.”
The comments come as City prepare for a high-profile trip to Anfield, where they will face a Liverpool side with whom they have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years. Haaland described the fixture as special, recalling how he watched the contests between teams managed by Pep Guardiola and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before joining City.
On the pitch, Haaland has scored five Premier League goals and two Champions League goals in the 2026/27 season, giving him seven goals across the two competitions ahead of the fixture.
The financial case remains a significant issue for the club. The independent commission found that City arranged commercial agreements it described as “sham” contracts, forming part of a scheme that artificially inflated revenue and reduced costs by more than £900 million. It also found the club guilty of all charges relating to serious financial-rule breaches over the nine-season period and upheld three of four alleged breaches concerning cooperation with the Premier League's investigation.
City have rejected the findings, saying the commission's judgment contains material errors of law, principle and fact. The club lodged its appeal on October 1.
The question of sanctions remains separate from the appeal process. The Premier League has said possible outcomes will be addressed through a further process, with the matter still unresolved.
For Haaland, the immediate message to supporters is clear: remain positive, stand together and keep backing the team as City face Liverpool amid continuing uncertainty off the pitch.
