Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has voiced his support for the club and its leadership after they were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. In a social media post, Guardiola stated that he will "always" be behind the club, its owners, and its supporters. This statement comes after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
The commission's findings revealed that Manchester City arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise secret funding of over £830m. The Premier League confirmed that the club was found guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules and all but one in relation to failure to co-operate with the investigation. Manchester City has until October 2 to submit an appeal against the guilty verdicts.
During his tenure as Manchester City manager from July 2016 to last summer, Guardiola led the club to numerous successes, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, and five League Cups. Prior to his departure, Guardiola had expressed his commitment to the club, stating that he would remain supportive even if the club were to be relegated due to the charges.
Manchester City's chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and chief executive, Ferran Soriano, have also expressed their confidence in the club's innocence. Al Mubarak stated that the club is still confident of proving its innocence, while Soriano claimed that "irrefutable evidence" had been "ignored" by the commission. The club, owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, described the guilty verdicts as "both disappointing and surprising".
Guardiola's statement of support for Manchester City was welcomed by the club's fans and staff. He emphasized that he will "get through this" with the club and its supporters, expressing his love and commitment to the team. The club's owners and leadership have also received backing from Guardiola, who described them as an integral part of the club.
The guilty verdicts have significant implications for Manchester City, with potential penalties including fines, points deductions, or even relegation. However, the club has until October 2 to submit an appeal, which could potentially alter the outcome. The Premier League's findings have sparked a heated debate about financial fair play and the measures taken by clubs to circumvent regulations.
The case has also raised questions about the role of wealthy owners in football and the impact of their investments on the sport. Manchester City's owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, have invested heavily in the club since taking over in 2008. The club's success on the pitch has been matched by significant spending on player transfers and infrastructure development.
Key points
- Manchester City found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules
- Pep Guardiola expresses support for club and its leadership
- Club has until October 2 to submit an appeal against guilty verdicts
