Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has stated his belief in the club's innocence concerning the Premier League's financial rules, citing confidence in club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Mancity were accused of a wide range of rule breaches, centering on claims they inflated sponsorship revenue from connected companies and made other "off the books" payments to circumvent financial regulations. City were accused of a wide range of rule breaches.
Hart, who won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and an FA Cup during his tenure with Manchester City, indicated that with "nothing concrete" yet established, the situation is one to "allow things to play out." He added that none of his achievements with the club are tarnished by the ongoing allegations.
"If Man City are found guilty, which I don't think they are because of what Khaldoon said, then there's conversations to be had," Hart commented. "But right now I'm very confident and very, very calm. I'm very proud of what I've achieved and what I did with Manchester City and what we achieved as a team. And that doesn't change. That doesn't change until you tell me."
The 39-year-old expressed that the allegations had not prompted him to discuss the matter with former teammates, as he "can't get involved in the ifs, buts and maybes." Hart maintained that his focus remains on his own contributions and experiences.
"I did what I did. I lined up 11 v 11 and had it out on the pitch. I won some games, lost some games, drew some games, and I shook hands and I walked off," he said. "I know what I did, I know what we did, and I know how it happened. It didn't feel like we were scheming or plotting."