Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed his concern over the recent allegations of financial rule breaches made against the club by the Premier League. On Monday, the Premier League charged City with over 100 breaches of its financial regulations. However, Guardiola has argued that the club has already been “condemned” despite not having the opportunity to defend itself.
UEFA Ban of 2020
“The club proved they were completely innocent,” Guardiola said, referring to a previous financial fair play case against the club by UEFA. UEFA imposed a two-year ban, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) overturned it in 2020. This event boosted Guardiola’s confidence in the club’s innocence.
Pep Accuses Rivals
Guardiola has also accused rival clubs of driving the charges and has called on the Premier League’s CEOs to answer for the allegations. The Premier League has referred City to an independent commission for alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, during which the club won three of its six Premier League titles. The commission can impose penalties ranging from a fine to points deduction and even expulsion from the Premier League.
The Premier League charged Manchester City with over 100 breaches of its financial rules, causing a surprise for the club. Despite this, the club is confident in their innocence and asserts that a “body of irrefutable evidence” supports their claim. Guardiola echoed this sentiment and has no intention of stepping down from his position as City manager.
“I am not moving from this seat, I can assure you. I want to stay more than ever.”
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola expresses confidence that even if City faces relegation, they will find a way to bounce back. He is not worried about the outcome of the commission.
“We have already been in the lower divisions, we will be back there – not a problem. We will call Paul Dickov and Mike Summerbee and we will do it again.”
Pep Guardiola
The recent charges by the Premier League claim that City breached rules related to UEFA regulations and the Premier League’s rules on profitability and sustainability. The Premier League alleges that City failed to provide accurate financial information, including club revenue and manager and player remuneration. Guardiola has received reassurances of City’s innocence from the club’s hierarchy, who have hired a good lawyer to defend their case. Guardiola remains optimistic about the outcome, stating,
“If the same situation with UEFA happens and we are innocent, what happens to restore or pay back our damage?”
Pep Guardiola
The proceedings of the commission will be confidential and heard in private. Despite the allegations, Guardiola promised to support City before and after the verdict.