The path Noel Gallagher has walked with Manchester City is the stuff of pure fantasy for the average football supporter. From away days in Barnsley to nights at the Bernabeu, striking up a close friendship with arguably the most legendary manager on Earth, and watching his beloved club claim historic triumph after historic triumph in domestic, continental, and global arenas. His eyes have witnessed a reality most of us can only imagine.
Yet, this turn of events caught him completely off guard. Characterized as “uncompromising” by The Athletic following the shocking revelation that the Sky Blues stood accused and convicted of violating the Premier League’s financial fair play rules, the former Oasis guitarist remained defiant, remarking, “To claim that a sponsorship agreement brokered almost a decade and a half ago invalidates our four consecutive league titles, the glory in Istanbul, and everything else we achieved—and that we should tear down the club and exile the fanbase to North Korea—is absolute madness.”
There is little doubt that Gallagher’s stance aligns with most of the City faithful; indeed, processing loss frequently starts with disbelief. Certainly, those trophies and historic moments were won through performances on the grass. The pure joy of Aguero’s legendary goal remains unforgettable, and the spectacular title battles fought against Liverpool are etched in history. But we must ask ourselves: does Manchester City truly merit the unwavering loyalty of their supporters now? Do they even have the right to field a team—ironically set to face Liverpool in their upcoming post-international break fixture?
It is worth pointing out that the club continues to fiercely reject these allegations; they are preparing to contest the verdict—a judgment that notably featured the term “sham” on five separate occasions—and any subsequent penalties for their severe infractions and non-compliance might ultimately be scaled back upon appeal.
However, this outcome serves as undeniable evidence that the billionaires who own Premier League clubs view the game through a completely different lens than ordinary supporters. Take Sir Jim Ratcliffe just across town, who airs offensive remarks regarding immigration while completely disregarding how those very statements alienate the diverse groups that constructed modern Manchester—all while professing his love for Manchester United.
For these ultra-wealthy elites, football is purely commercial—a fact we are well aware of—yet we frequently overlook that they do not even consider it an athletic competition.
It has transitioned into a tourist attraction. Visitors arrive, purchase their tickets, snap photos of Erling Haaland to post on social media, and go home. Wins and losses come and go, yet the global audience tunes in no matter what.
Level playing fields do not interest these owners. Working-class supporters are only valued when their passion can be packaged and sold as matchday atmosphere. During the darkest days of Arsenal’s struggles, frustrated fans initiated the “#WeCareDoYou” movement aimed directly at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment after failing to reach the Champions League for three consecutive years. Though the query was largely rhetorical, it raises a deeper issue: aside from rare figures like the late Jack Walker, does any modern club owner genuinely share the deep emotional bond of a true supporter?
Absolutely not. And in this regard, the hierarchy at City has completely neglected the fundamental principles upon which the club was originally established.
The club has humiliated, disappointed, and exploited its loyal following. This applies not only to the everyday supporters arguing their case in local pubs, nor just those who took to the airwaves and media platforms to advocate for the club’s innocence. It also hurts the legendary musicians who defined ’90s British culture, as well as the old-school devotees who stood by the team when matches against Stockport and Macclesfield were the reality, long before dreams of competing with United and Liverpool ever existed.
This scandal has cast a shadow over Pep Guardiola, perhaps the most exceptional tactician in Premier League history, whose championship victories now look like victories won with an unfair head start. Iconic figures such as Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Sergio Aguero—some of the finest talents to ever grace a pitch—now have their magnificent achievements tainted by doubt.
What about the members of the current squad? Did anyone apprise players like Elliott Anderson, Enzo Fernandez, or Ayyoub Bouaddi of these looming issues? Or were they simply fed the same reassurance given to Noel Gallagher?
A portion of the fanbase will inevitably interpret this criticism as a direct assault on themselves, feeling deeply offended. At the same time, a segment of supporters likely remains indifferent or views the situation as trivial, mirroring Gallagher’s own attitude.
Yet, those who love Manchester City ought to feel deeply betrayed. An institution built by their ancestors almost a century and a half ago has essentially traded its integrity for silverware. Those honors face the prospect of being stripped away or permanently devalued. The legacy of every hero celebrated in song over the last ten years is now compromised by this controversy. There is no way to replay those classic seasons; awarding Jurgen Klopp a symbolic title retroactively offers no real justice. When future generations look back, this era of English football will be viewed under a permanent cloud of suspicion. What should have been a glorious epoch for the sport now feels empty and meaningless. If this is the ultimate destination, it makes one question the very purpose of our devotion to the game.
Although the Premier League has determined that City defrauded the English game, there are no real victors in this scenario. Not even the individuals who stood at the absolute pinnacle of these triumphs.
