Manchester City bosses told their players the club would not lose the ‘trial of the century’ against the Premier League, which finally begins on Monday.
The champions face 115 charges relating to alleged financial breaches from 2009 to 2018, in an independent hearing at an unknown location.
And now Aymeric Laporte, a five-time title-winner at City and part of the Treble squad of 2022-23 before he joined Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has revealed the players were reassured there was nothing to worry about.
‘When I was there and the news broke, the sporting director (Txiki Begiristain) and the CEO (Ferran Soriano) came and told all the players and staff that we can all be very calm because not one rule has been broken by Man City,’ the defender told Mail Sport.
‘They told us everything was fine so that’s why we all think City will be fine. I don’t think there will be any issues.
Manchester City's CEO Ferran Soriano (right) has reportedly told players they have nothing to worry about as the club's trial over 115 charges of financial impropriety begins on Monday
‘Like Pep Guardiola always says, if something wrong has been done, they will have to pay for it.’
City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation and face a trial that could shake the sport to its foundations.
City have won eight league titles since 2012, including six of the last seven, in an unprecedented era of dominance.
The long-awaited hearing is expected to run for 10 weeks, with a verdict early next year.