Ayoub Bouaddi has refused to clarify his future at Manchester City after being left out of the club’s recent matches, while the Premier League side prepares for a pivotal stage in its financial case.
The Morocco international said he remained happy at the club despite not featuring under Italian manager Enzo Maresca and insisted he would continue working hard while waiting for his opportunity.
“I am very happy to belong to a very great team,” Bouaddi told Le Site Info Sport. Asked about his recent absence, he added: “I will continue to work hard and see what happens in the future.”
Bouaddi’s comments offer no firm indication of his plans, but underline his intention to remain patient as he seeks regular first-team minutes. His lack of involvement for Manchester City has not affected his relationship with the Morocco national team.
The uncertainty surrounding the player comes as Manchester City approaches a crucial phase in its legal dispute with the Premier League over alleged financial rule breaches.
According to the report, the club is expected to appear before an independent commission in mid-December to present its legal arguments and respond to the accusations. Manchester City is seeking to overturn the findings against it after a previous independent commission ruled that it had committed financial violations.
The appeal hearings are expected to last several days because of the size and complexity of the case, as well as the number of allegations the club rejects.
The outcome could have major consequences for Manchester City’s future in English football. Financial Times reports that the independent commission could issue its ruling at the start of next year, making January a potentially important point in the process.
Possible sanctions range from a substantial fine and a significant points deduction to relegation from the Premier League if the findings are upheld. Some speculation in the English media has focused on a points penalty large enough to send Manchester City into the Championship, with a further deduction in the following season potentially making an immediate return difficult.
Those scenarios remain unconfirmed. No official decision has been made on the punishment or when it would be imposed, and any sanction could itself be subject to appeal. The first ruling would therefore not necessarily bring the legal dispute to an end.
Three successive defeats add to pressure
Manchester City’s legal concerns have been accompanied by a difficult run of results. The club suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat when it lost 3-1 away to Nottingham Forest in the 10th round of matches.
That followed defeats by Aston Villa and Brighton, leaving Manchester City on 21 points in third place. They are six points behind leaders Arsenal and one point adrift of second-placed Brighton.
The team’s next listed Premier League fixture is against Fulham on 21 November 2026, before a Champions League meeting with Napoli on 24 November 2026. Manchester City must recover quickly on the pitch to prevent the gap to its rivals widening while uncertainty continues off it.
