Haaland says Manchester City needs to ‘stick together’ after guilty verdict

Erling Haaland has scored five goals in five appearances in the Premier League this season. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland has asked everyone associated with the club to “stick together” after it was found guilty of breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.

An independent commission found that City arranged “sham” contracts with several commercial partners to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce costs over a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018.

In an interview with Sky Sports published on Thursday, Haaland said, “We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So yeah, stick together, enjoy the ride and smile.”

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The club could face severe sanctions, including expulsion from the top flight. City has lodged an appeal against the findings.

With City taking on Liverpool at Anfield in its first match since the verdict, Haaland emphasised the need for unity, with a hostile atmosphere expected on Sunday.

“We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we have always have to have a smile. So we have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and then try to enjoy the situation and the game,” he said.