Manchester City v Coventry City - Premier League 2026/27
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 5: Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Manchester City and Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester City and Coventry City at Etihad Stadium on September 5, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Former Leeds United managing director David Haigh is claiming online that he has reported Manchester City to the police over their recent Premier League charges.
The international break has dragged on far too long. However, a news story that has completely overshadowed the football is Manchester City.
It’s been a long time coming. The Premier League’s charges over historic financial ‘doping’ have officially reached a guilty verdict this week on Man City.
Former Leeds United managing director David Haigh reports Manchester City to police over 114 charges verdict
The Premier League’s statement outlined ‘sham’ dealings that have led to an unprecedented verdict on the Manchester club this week. In that, it’s outlined that Man City’s revenue and expensese had been artificially boosted to account for around £900million in extra funding.
As a result, it’s expected that the Citizens face a huge punishment, subject to their now confirmed appeal. What’s more is the can of worms that these proceedings have opened for others who believe they’re entitled to justice or compensation. Or, some want to seek further punishment for the club.
That includes former Leeds managing director David Haigh. Writing on his personal X account, Haigh claims that he has reported Man City’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak to Greater Manchester Police.
In being found guilty by the Premier League and an independent commission, Man City’s financial doping could open up the floor for actual criminal proceedings. Haigh outlines the false accounting and potential fraud here.
Haigh headed GFH Capital’s takeover of Leeds United from Ken Bates back in 2012. He then departed the club in 2014, following Massimo Cellino’s buyout. Not long after Haigh’s resignation, he was arrested in Dubia over charges of fraud, embezzlement and financial irregularities amounting to approximately AED 23.7 million (over £3.8million) from GFH Capital.
While Haigh denied the accusations, he was sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of “breach of trust”.
Manchester City must be in line for unfathomable punishment if/when appeal fails
The fact that this has spilled over from cheating in a sporting context to actual criminal proceedings is remarkable. And, it outlines how much of a mess this continues to be for Man City and the Premier League.
I expect that they will ultimately face judgement in a very serious way soon enough. I just can’t see how they work their way out of this. The Premier League’s statement seems quite adamant they are bang to rights.
Haigh’s update is quite telling too, though. He clearly thinks that this runs deeper than Man City the club being brought to justice, those in charge should be too.
I don’t think this is going to be over any time soon, and Man City’s insistence to appeal underlines that.