Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said he believes Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is an “honest man” and was surprised to hear of the Premier League’s financial charges against the club.
Wenger revealed he knows Al Mubarak “quite well” and hailed his intellect and virtue amid the 100-plus financial charges against the champions that stretch back to 2009. City have vowed to clear their name, insisting they are innocent of all charges.
It is not clear what punishments could be handed to City if found guilty, although it is thought they could be wide-ranging. The possibility of the club being stripped of some of their titles has been mooted, although Wenger suggests this would be unlikely.
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Speaking on beIN SPORTS when asked how much of a possibility that would be, he responded: “Very small one. I think so.
“I believe at the moment I know quite well Khaldoon and I think he’s an intelligent man and an honest man so I was quite surprised by the charges they face so let’s see the outcome. If they are guilty, then they will face penalties. I don’t know what they will be.”
City supporters unfurled a number of anti-allegation banners in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday in what was their first game since the Premier League charges were announced.
A loud chorus of boos drowned out the pre-match Premier League anthem as fans made their feeling known about the accusations.
On Friday, Pep Guardiola launched a staunch defence of City, saying: "I would have loved to wait and see and time will dictate what will happen. Just in case we are not innocent, we will accept what the judge, the Premier League decide.
"But what happens if... we are innocent? What happens to restore our damage? Because the damage is for one decade."
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