Manchester City’s supporters have long used the chant “We’re not really here” as a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to the club’s roller‑coaster history, from relegations in the 1990s to a string of Premier League titles since the Abu Dhabi takeover. The chant has echoed across stadiums during title celebrations, Champions League finals and even at Wembley, but the recent guilty verdict from the Premier League has turned its meaning on its head. The ruling, which found City had breached financial rules between 2009 and 2018, has left millions of fans in a state of uncertainty and anger.
The decision was announced last week, and the club’s supporters union immediately issued a statement calling for unity and consultation. “We will be engaging with our members and the wider fan base, consulting the memberships and gauging opinion,” the union said, urging fans to stay strong in “uncertain times ahead.” The verdict has sparked a wave of reactions across the fan base, from former England striker Gary Lineker, who said he felt for the supporters, to David Mooney of the Blue Moon podcast, who described a feeling of betrayal and contempt for the club’s leadership.
While some fans remain loyal to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano, who insist on City’s innocence, others are demanding answers. The club has filed an appeal, and many supporters are waiting to see whether the punishment could include stripping trophies or even jeopardising the club’s Premier League status. The debate has split the fan community, with older supporters recalling the club’s turbulent past and newer generations, who have only known success, fearing the prospect of a fall through the divisions.
The fallout extends beyond sporting sanctions. Former City winger Shaun Wright‑Phillips said the club’s reputation has been tarnished, and many fans feel their identity is under attack. “It hurts that my club has been tarnished in that way,” he said, echoing the sentiment of content creator Steven McInerney, who expressed uncertainty about the club’s future after the verdict. The club’s owners have tried to rally support with a “Premier League conspiracy theory” video, but the message has not quelled the anger.
Despite the turmoil, City’s owners have previously demonstrated responsiveness to fan concerns, such as freezing ticket prices after protests in 2025. Now, with the Premier League set to resume this weekend, around 2,000 fans are expected to travel to watch City face Liverpool. The “We’re not really here” chant, once a light‑hearted reference to the club’s past, will take on new resonance as supporters confront the uncertain future of the club they have long supported.