Joe Hart backs Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak after financial ruling

Joe Hart says Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s defence of Manchester City is enough for him to remain confident the club will clear the financial allegations against it.

Manchester City were found to have committed the majority of the 115 financial breaches brought against them by the Premier League and are preparing to appeal the ruling.

Al Mubarak has insisted the club will continue to pursue “proof of the club’s innocence”, while stating that the legal process “still has a long way to go”.

Hart, who made 348 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions between 2006 and 2016, said he trusted the club chairman after listening to his response to the case.

“He has led the club brilliantly and he is someone you can trust,” Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club.

“I have listened to everyone go down every hole, every tunnel and every possible discussion. Honestly, I have no reason not to trust Khaldoon. What he said is enough for me.

“I liked the way he spoke and I liked the message, because it came from someone who cares about the club.”

Hart won the Premier League twice with Manchester City, in 2011-12 and 2013-14. He also lifted the League Cup in 2013-14 and 2015-16, as well as the FA Cup in 2010-11.

The allegations against Manchester City cover a wide range of matters, including claims that sponsorship revenue from companies linked to the club was inflated. The case also includes allegations of payments being made outside official records to circumvent financial regulations.

Hart, 39, said the lack of anything “concrete” from his perspective meant he would wait for the case to develop, adding that the proceedings did not diminish his achievements with the club.

“If Manchester City are found guilty, which I do not believe will happen based on what Khaldoon has said, there will be things to discuss,” he said.

“But at the moment I am very confident and very calm.

“I am extremely proud of what I achieved, what I did with Manchester City and what we achieved as a team. That will not change. It will not change until you tell me otherwise.”

The former goalkeeper also said he had not considered discussing the case with his former team-mates because he could not engage with “possibilities and speculation”.

“I did what I had to do. I played the games 11 against 11 and competed on the pitch,” Hart said.

“I won some matches, lost and drew others, then shook hands with the opponents and left the pitch.

“I know what I did, I know what we did and I know how it happened. I never felt that we were planning or arranging anything.”