Pep Guardiola insists he is ‘fully convinced’ that Manchester City will be found innocent after the club were charged with financial misconduct.
The Premier League announced a statement on Monday confirming that City had been charged with more 100 counts of breaches, following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial dealings.
If proven guilty, City could face a number of sanctions which could include points deductions or potential expulsion from the Premier League. City were charged with financial breaches by UEFA in 2020, with European football’s governing body banning the club from Europe for two seasons and issuing a fine of €30m.
On appeal, the ban was overturned and fine reduced to €10m and Guardiola is confident that his side will avoid sanctions.
“My first thought is that we have already been condemned, what happened is the same that happened with Uefa,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s clash with Aston Villa.
“We had already accusations and now we are charged. The club proved they were innocent (from Uefa charges). You know what side I am.”
“We are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he added. “We didn’t have this opportunity, we are already sentenced.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that the other 19 Premier League clubs should allow his club to defend themselves instead of accusing them. pic.twitter.com/YWoKINI78p
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 10, 2023
“What is going to happen I don’t know. Personally, I am happy we are here as like Uefa we have the chance to defend (ourselves).
“We have a good lawyer, not that Uefa had bad lawyers. And I think the Premier League, supported by 19 teams, are going to take good lawyers too to defend their position.
“I would have loved to wait and see to find out what happens but just in case we are not innocent we will accept what the judge and the Premier League decides.
“But if the same situation with Uefa happens and we are innocent, what happens to restore or pay back our damage?”
Guardiola reiterated his belief that City will be proven innocent and said his focus has been on preparing for Villa’s visit to the Etihad this weekend.
“The club, they talk to all of us. But we have trained like normal to get ready for Aston Villa. The last seven years have been for us, our fans and our people. The court will dictate what happens. I am fully convinced that we will be innocent.”
