KHALDOON AL MUBARAK admits 115 cheat charges levelled at Manchester City have cast a shadow over their historic Treble.
Prem chiefs accused the club of breaching Financial Fair Play rules over nine seasons.
Chairman Khaldoon said: “It’s very frustrating because it takes so much from the great work that’s happening at this club, not just on the football pitch.
“What these players achieved this year, the Treble, is incredible.
“I hope people judge them for their football and what they’re achieving on the pitch. That’s the reality.
After a four-year Premier League probe, City were accused in February of a series of financial rules breaches between 2009 and 2018.
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They included hiding the true source of the club’s funding, declaring only part of salaries to players and former boss Roberto Mancini and deliberately obstructing the investigation since it was opened in December 2018.
The case is likely to drag on for up to FOUR YEARS but City — who could face expulsion from the league — fiercely deny any wrongdoing.
Khaldoon says he has strong views about the Premier League’s decision to charge his club but is restricted to what he can say for “legal reasons”.
He added: “I’ll give you my very blunt views, I promise you that.
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“But I am going to be unfortunately very restrained today.”
City sealed English football’s first Treble since Manchester United in 1999 by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final.
And Khaldoon revealed Erling Haaland promised to deliver Euro glory in their first conversation.
The Norwegian, 22, hit 52 goals in a sensational first season after joining from Borussia Dortmund for £51.4million.
Khaldoon added: “After signing the contract he said, ‘Mr Chairman, I’m going to win the Champions League for you’.
“It really is a testament to his greatness. The scary part, this is just the beginning for him.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
