Manchester City supporters have rallied around Manuel Akanji after the defender addressed the uncertainty surrounding the club’s trophies amid the Premier League’s legal battle with City.
Akanji was asked about whether Manchester City’s honours could potentially be affected by the guilty period identified in the case. His response highlighted the uncertainty surrounding what could happen next.
The Switzerland international pointed to the fact that the period in question runs from 2009 to 2018, before adding that nobody knows what else could potentially be investigated.
His wider point was that football authorities continue to examine events from years ago, even using the coronavirus pandemic as an example of how far back investigations and questions can reach.
Manuel Akanji on his #ManCity trophies not being in danger due to the guilty period being 2009 to 2018: “Who knows what else they might dig up. After all, you’re still looking for things related to the coronavirus that happened five years ago…” [via @nau_live/@Sport_Witness]
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 7, 2026
The comments sparked a lively reaction from Manchester City supporters.
While some fans initially found Akanji’s analogy amusing, others understood the broader argument behind it. For them, the defender was making a simple point: until the entire process is finished, nobody knows what the eventual consequences will be.
‘Akanji’s point is fair’
Among the most supportive reactions was one fan who wrote:
“Akanji’s point is fair — until the process is fully settled, nobody really knows what could happen.”
That response arguably captures the most measured interpretation of Akanji’s comments.
The situation surrounding Manchester City remains complicated. Supporters have heard numerous arguments about the guilty period, the club’s trophies and potential consequences, but the process is not something they can personally resolve.
Akanji’s position appears to be that speculation should not be confused with a final outcome.
That distinction matters.
Manchester City have won numerous major trophies during the period being discussed, including Premier League titles. Therefore, any suggestion that historical honours could somehow become part of the debate naturally creates concern among supporters.
For City fans, however, there is still a strong belief that the club’s achievements should not be treated as though their status has already been decided.
‘Let them dig, we are innocent’
Another supporter summed up the defiant mood with a simple message:
“Let them dig we are innocent.”
That reaction demonstrates the confidence that remains among sections of the Manchester City fanbase.
Rather than worrying about what investigators might discover in the future, this supporter believes City have nothing to fear.
It is also consistent with the wider mood surrounding the club.
The guilty verdict has created a period of uncertainty, but supporters continue to separate the legal process from the football they have watched over the years.
They remember the performances, the players, the managers and the trophies.
From their perspective, those memories cannot simply be erased by speculation about what might happen next.
Fans understand Akanji’s broader point
Another supporter explained Akanji’s comments in a slightly different way:
“He’s basically saying that things that happened ages ago aren’t as relevant as people are trying to make them out. So basically, get on with it.”
That interpretation helps explain why some City fans have responded positively to the defender.
Akanji was not simply discussing trophies.
He was questioning how far into the past football authorities can continue looking when investigating historical events.
The defender referenced the coronavirus pandemic because even events from five years ago can still be discussed, examined and revisited.
For Akanji, that appears to underline a broader concern.
If football authorities continue reopening old matters, there may always be another question waiting around the corner.
City supporters clearly recognise that frustration.
The X reaction was full of laughter
Not every reaction was serious.
Several supporters responded to Akanji’s comments with laughing emojis, while others appeared surprised by the comparison.
One fan wrote:
“Bro what are you doing 😭”
Another described it as:
“world’s worst analogy just dropped.”
and several supporters simply responded with laughter.
That does not necessarily mean those fans disagree with Manchester City or Akanji’s position.
Instead, the comparison itself caught supporters off guard.
A footballer talking about the Premier League’s legal case and then bringing the coronavirus period into the discussion was always likely to produce some humorous responses.
The trophy question remains sensitive
The most important part of the discussion, however, remains Manchester City’s trophies.
The club’s supporters are understandably protective of the honours won during the modern era.
Premier League titles, domestic cups and European success represent years of work by players and coaching staff.
That is why even the suggestion that historical trophies could become vulnerable creates such a strong emotional response.
Akanji’s comments offer a different perspective.
Rather than assuming that trophies are already under threat, he pointed to the uncertainty surrounding what authorities may investigate next.
That is why one fan’s comment that “until the process is fully settled, nobody really knows what could happen” is particularly relevant.
There is a difference between asking questions and reaching a final conclusion.
City fans don’t want premature conclusions
The reactions also reveal that Manchester City supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as premature conclusions.
The legal process is complicated, and the club’s supporters know that there are still questions to be resolved.
But they do not want every possibility presented as an established fact.
That is especially important when discussing trophies.
If no final decision has been made regarding the status of Manchester City’s honours, supporters believe those trophies should continue to be recognised as part of the club’s history.
That is why the comment “Let them dig we are innocent” resonated with the mood among many City fans.
It is a message of confidence rather than fear.
Akanji’s comments create another debate
Akanji’s comments have therefore created two different reactions among Manchester City supporters.
Some found his coronavirus analogy strange or amusing.
Others understood exactly what he was trying to say.
The second group believes his fundamental argument is reasonable: football authorities can investigate historical events, but until the process is complete, nobody can know what the final consequences might be.
That uncertainty is particularly relevant when the discussion turns to Manchester City’s trophies.
Supporters are not prepared to surrender those achievements based on speculation.
They want the process to reach its conclusion before anyone starts rewriting the club’s history.
Manchester City supporters remain defiant
Ultimately, the strongest message from the reaction is one of defiance.
There is frustration.
There is humour.
There is confusion over Akanji’s analogy.
But there is also considerable confidence.
The comments “Akanji’s point is fair” and “Let them dig we are innocent” demonstrate the attitude of supporters who believe Manchester City’s achievements should not be judged before the entire process has concluded.
Akanji’s intervention may not have been perfectly received by everyone.
Some fans laughed at the comparison, while others questioned what he was trying to say.
Yet the central point has generated meaningful discussion.
For Manchester City supporters, the future of the club’s trophies remains a sensitive subject.
Until the legal process is fully settled, however, they are refusing to assume the worst.
And as one supporter effectively suggested, the message from the City fanbase is simple: let them investigate, but don’t expect Manchester City’s supporters to stop believing in the club’s history.
