"It's been one of the longest weeks of my life. It feels like the situation is changing every few seconds." Manchester City fan Steven Mc Inerney was speaking to BBC Sport as the fallout continued after the club were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges levelled against them.
"My mood's varied between doomscrolling and catastrophising to suddenly feeling quite defiant and thinking this is just football," the 41-year-old from Manchester added. It has been 14 days since news of the guilty verdicts began to emerge. The Premier League later confirmed them, though the club continue to deny the charges and are appealing. The case, which has hung over the league since February 2023, shows no sign of an immediate resolution, with the appeal outcome and potential sanctions still unknown.
City will return to action after the international break with an away match against Liverpool. The charges relate to a period from 2009-10 to 2017-18, when the club won the Premier League three times, including pipping Liverpool in 2013-14. Those memories will live on for fans.
Rachel Herdson, from Altrincham, says her support is unwavering. "Last Friday, when I went to bed, I was a Manchester City fan. I woke up a City fan. And guess what? Even after the bombshell, I am still a City fan." A season ticket holder since 1989, she believes the appeal gives the club a chance to clear their name, though she says the club's reputation is still being tarnished. If the appeal fails, possible sanctions include a substantial fine, points deduction, transfer bans and even expulsion from the Premier League. Fan groups are organising an 'old-school away day' at Anfield, calling on the 3,000-strong travelling support to wear retro shirts and take inflatable bananas.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing