- Manchester City executives told their players the club would not lose ‘the test of the century’
- Former City star Laporte said they were calm and there was nothing to worry about.
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all just beginning!Available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Manchester City bosses have told their players the club will not lose the “test of the century” against the Premier League, which finally gets underway on Monday.
The champions face 115 charges relating to alleged financial violations between 2009 and 2018, in a separate hearing at an undisclosed location.
And now Aymeric Laporte, a five-time champion with City and part of the 2022-23 Treble-winning squad before joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, has revealed the players were calm and there was nothing to worry about.
“When I was there and the news broke, the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain) and the CEO (Ferran Soriano) came and told all the players and staff that we can all be very calm because Man City have not broken any rules,” the defender told Mail Sport.
“We were told everything was fine, so we all think City will be fine. I don’t think there will be any problems.
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano (right) has reportedly told players they have nothing to worry about as the club’s trial on 115 charges of financial irregularities begins on Monday.
Former City player Aymeric Laporte says club officials say “no rules have been broken”
‘As Pep Guardiola always says, if something has been done wrong, they will have to pay for it.’
City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation and face a trial that could shake the sport to its foundations.
City have won eight league titles since 2012, including six of the last seven, in an era of unprecedented dominance.
The long-awaited hearing is expected to last 10 weeks, with the verdict expected early next year.
