Henry hits out at 'fake news' over Man City 115 charges quotes

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Thierry Henry has publicly denied ever commenting on Manchester City's guilty verdict, after fabricated quotes attributed to the Arsenal icon spread across social media.

The France legend, now 49, took to Instagram to shut the story down in blunt fashion. "Fake news," he wrote. "I haven't spoken to anyone about Manchester City. Stop inventing stories."

The quotes had circulated on Facebook in the days after news of the verdict emerged on Friday, with City found guilty of almost all of their 115 charges. Henry, one of the most recognisable voices in the English game through his punditry work, has not addressed the case at any point.

The verdict and what comes next

The case stems from an investigation launched after financial document leaks in 2018, relating to alleged breaches of Premier League regulations between 2009 and 2018 — a period that overlaps with much of City's rise to domestic dominance.

City responded with a statement on Friday insisting the matter is far from settled. "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality," it read. "As such Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023."

The statement continued: "The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence."

Sanctions still to be determined

The punishment phase is the next stage. According to The Times, the Premier League will make recommendations to an independent commission on the sanctions City should face.

A three-person commission will hold a hearing to decide what is imposed, with that hearing expected to last several weeks. Among the possible outcomes, it has been suggested the Premier League could push for a significant points deduction — one that, given the nature of the offences, could carry relegation implications.

City are expected to appeal, and the full process is anticipated to run on for a considerable period of time.

For Arsenal supporters, the case carries obvious historical weight. The alleged breach period covers seasons in which the Gunners were competing directly with City at the top of the table, and the eventual outcome will be scrutinised closely across north London and beyond.

Henry, meanwhile, has made his position clear: whatever he is being quoted as saying on the matter, he didn't say it. The independent commission's hearing will determine what happens next.