Ayoub Bouaddi offers measured response as Manchester City face uncertain season

Ayoub Bouaddi says he will continue working hard and wait for his opportunity at Manchester City, as the club prepares for a decisive stage in its legal case over alleged financial rule breaches.

The Morocco international has not featured in Manchester City’s recent matches, with his absence coming amid the selections of Italian manager Enzo Maresca. However, Bouaddi said his current lack of playing time had not affected his pride in being part of the club.

“I am very happy to belong to a very great team,” Bouaddi told Le Site Info Sport.

Asked about his omission from the latest games, he added: “I will continue to work hard and see what happens in the future.”

His comments stop short of providing a clear indication of his plans, but suggest he remains committed to working for a chance in the first team. Securing regular minutes is expected to remain one of the main challenges facing the player in the next stage of the season.

Manchester City are scheduled to face Fulham in the Premier League on 21 November 2026 before travelling to play Napoli in the Champions League on 24 November 2026.

December hearing could shape City’s future

The club’s sporting difficulties have coincided with the approach of a crucial phase in its legal battle with the Premier League.

Manchester City are expected to appear before an independent commission in the middle of December to present their legal arguments and respond to allegations that they breached the competition’s financial regulations.

The club is seeking to overturn findings previously issued by an independent commission, which ruled that it had committed financial violations. Manchester City reject the allegations and continue to defend their position in a case that has generated widespread interest in England and beyond.

The appeal hearings are expected to last several days because of the size and legal complexity of the case, as well as the number of allegations being contested.

The significance of the proceedings goes beyond the club’s immediate legal arguments. The outcome could help determine Manchester City’s future in English competitions, with the possibility of severe sanctions if the appeal does not change the direction of the case.

The Financial Times has reported that the independent commission could issue its decision on the appeal at the beginning of next year, making January a potentially important point in the process.

Possible punishments range from a substantial financial penalty and a large points deduction to relegation from the Premier League if the findings are upheld. Some speculation in the English press has suggested that a significant deduction could force Manchester City into the Championship, with a further points penalty in the following season also discussed.

Those scenarios remain media speculation. No official decision has been made on the punishment or when it would be imposed, and any sanction could itself be subject to appeal.

Three successive league defeats

Manchester City’s legal uncertainty comes as their league form has deteriorated.

They suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat when Nottingham Forest beat them 3-1 at home in the 10th round of matches. That followed losses against Aston Villa and Brighton.

The result left Manchester City on 21 points in third place, six points behind leaders Arsenal and one point below second-placed Brighton. The team must now recover quickly to prevent the gap to their rivals from widening.