Gianluigi Donnarumma’s agent says the goalkeeper has ‘received assurances from Manchester City’ and ‘everyone is calm’ amid the financial scandal at the club.
The Cityzens have been found guilty by an independent commission on an array of the 115 charges leveled at them that related to Premier League financial rules.
The club has been found to be guilty of inflating revenue through sponsorship between the 2009/10 season and 2017/18 season by over £800 million and City would have fallen foul of profit and sustainability rules in each of those nine seasons if they had not.
Manchester City have lodged an appeal and claim to be confident that they will be successful in overturning the guilty verdicts.
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After the appeal was lodged on October 1, the club posted in a statement: ‘The Club’s firm position is that, on multiple grounds, the opinion contains clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
‘The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case.’
Whether they will be successful or not is yet to be seen, but if the appeal fails then Manchester City can expect a hefty punishment.
What that would be remains unclear, but could include a huge points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League, while fines and transfer bans are also possibilities.
The future of the club’s superstar players obviously remains up in the air as if Manchester City are sent down the leagues, they are unlikely to stay.
However, Donnarumma’s agent, Enzo Raiola, says his client has been reassured on the matter and everyone at the club remains calm.
‘Can the Manchester City chaos change anything? No, it won’t change anything for us or for Gigio,’ Raiola told Radio Napoli Centrale, via CalcioMercato.
‘News comes out periodically. The club has spoken to Gigio, and everyone is calm. Now there are important matches against Liverpool and PSG, and then sporting justice will take its course.
‘But Gigio has received reassurances from Manchester City.’
How long the appeal will take is not clear and when sanctions will be imposed on the club also unknown at this stage, so there is a tense wait for everyone involved.
Another of Manchester City’s star names, Erling Haaland, is in the same boat as Donnarumma as he waits to hear the club’s fate.
Raiola’s late cousin Mino represented both players and Enzo says they have close bond.
‘They’re two guys with the same character,’ he said. ‘Haaland was managed by Mino Raiola. Even before that, Gigio had a special relationship with Mino.
‘They’re two good guys, two warriors with hearts of gold. That’s why they’re a good fit.’
Haaland has not addressed the ongoing issue, but Norway teammate Kristoffer Ajer said he was unfazed on international duty.
‘He’s been exactly the way he’s always the same with the national team,’ said Ajer.
‘He’s truly focused on the upcoming games. I think he’s trying to do the same as everyone else, wait and see what the outcome is – but right now the main focus is Wales tomorrow night. That’s clearly been his way of doing it.’
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