Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed the recent charges against the club for the first time, following allegations of over 100 violations of Premier League financial regulations.
If found guilty, the six-time Premier League champions could face penalties such as a points deduction or even expulsion from the league, stemming from charges related to financial information, profitability, player and manager remuneration, failure to cooperate, and UEFA regulations. These alleged acts are said to have occurred over a nine-year period, with the accusations arising from a four-year Premier League investigation.
Manchester City responded to the allegations by asserting they possess a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” and expressed their anticipation for the matter to be resolved definitively.
Guardiola reiterated the club’s stance on the charges during a media briefing ahead of Sunday’s match against Aston Villa.
He expressed his initial impression that the club feels as though they have already been judged, drawing parallels with previous UEFA investigations where City was later cleared of wrongdoing.
Guardiola emphasized the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in the legal process and highlighted the club’s confidence in their legal representation. He acknowledged the expected length of the legal proceedings and expressed hope for a fair outcome.
Guardiola concluded by emphasizing the importance of legal defense in addressing the accusations and suggested that the resolution process could be prolonged, similar to the previous UEFA investigation.
