Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak expressed his “frustration” over the club’s on-pitch successes being overshadowed by the 115 Premier League charges filed against them.
Last month, City became the first club in English football history to win the league title in four consecutive seasons.
However, this autumn, a Premier League disciplinary commission will hear the case against City for allegedly breaching financial regulations, with some allegations dating back to 2009.
City deny all the charges, but manager Pep Guardiola recently admitted he was unsure if people liked his team.
“Of course, it’s frustrating,” Khaldoon told City’s internal media in his annual end of season address. “The referencing is always frustrating.
“I feel for our fanbase and everyone associated with the club to have these charges constantly referenced.
“It’s taking longer than anyone hoped for but there is a process we have to go through. I’ve always repeated, let’s be judged by the facts and not by claims and counterclaims.”
BBC Sport understands that Khaldoon gave the interview before reports emerged on Tuesday about City’s legal challenge to the Premier League’s commercial rules.
An arbitration hearing regarding the legality of the league’s associated party transaction (APT) rules, which assess whether sponsorship deals are financially ‘fair’, is scheduled for June 10-21.
Khaldoon was asked about the potential impact of financial regulations on this summer’s transfer window, considering different competitions have different rules. His response was provided without knowledge that City’s current stance would soon be made public.
“The Premier League got to where it is today by being the most competitive league,” he said. “So, I hope there is a bit more sensibility in regulating. A balanced approach is good from all the leagues.
“There have been a lot of restrictions put in place on swaps and loans, so even that is now much more restricted. That is going to be reflected, I believe, this summer.”
Since his appointment in 2016, Guardiola has secured 15 trophies for the club.
With one year remaining on his current contract, which he signed in November 2022, the 53-year-old coach has hinted that he might depart the club in 2025, coinciding with the expiration of his contract, following his team’s Premier League title triumph in May.
“Pep has always been fully committed to this club and to every contract he has signed with us,” said Al-Mubarak.
“This decision on his future is always a decision we take together and I have no doubt we will find the right solution that works for Pep and works for us.”