Guardiola backs Manchester City as club faces 115 financial charges

Former Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has sent a message of support to the club and its supporters as they face a major financial case that could result in relegation from the Premier League.

Writing on his official Twitter account, Guardiola said: “I want every Manchester City fan to know that I am here more than ever.”

He added: “I have always stood, and will always stand, behind the club, the owners, the chairman, the players, the coaching staff, Maresca and you, our fans.”

Guardiola concluded: “Let me be clear, we will get through this period together. I love you all.”

Manchester City face 115 charges brought by the Premier League, including allegations relating to financial reporting, player and staff payments, profitability and sustainability rules, and UEFA regulations. The club has denied every allegation and says it remains confident in its legal position.

The charges include 54 related to allegedly providing inaccurate financial information, 35 concerning an alleged failure to cooperate with Premier League investigations, 14 involving the disclosure of player and coach remuneration, seven alleged breaches of profitability and sustainability regulations, and five concerning UEFA rules.

The Premier League said Manchester City were guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of its financial regulations over nine seasons, as well as most of the allegations concerning a failure to cooperate with its investigation between 2009 and 2018.

The claims include allegations that the club entered into fictitious contracts with several commercial partners, provided misleading accounts, concealed its financial position and breached spending limits set by the Premier League and UEFA.

Football Insider reported that Manchester City were preparing for the worst-case scenario, including relegation to the second tier.

The club responded in a statement: “Manchester City Football Club is disappointed and surprised by the publication of the Premier League panel’s opinion today.”

It added: “The club confirms its innocence of the allegations made by the Premier League, and possesses overwhelming and comprehensive evidence supporting all of its positions in this matter. Therefore, the club will continue its tireless fight and will take proactive action when necessary before all relevant regulatory and legal bodies.”

Manchester City said the Premier League process was still continuing and that important elements remained unfinished. “Manchester City Football Club will now appeal through every avenue available to it, on the basis that the opinion contains clear and substantial errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsound,” the statement said.

The club also said it had respected due process for eight years on the understanding that the Premier League board and executive would act as an independent, impartial and fair regulator, free from partisan influence.

“Clearly, the club is constrained in what it can say further until all future proceedings have been completed,” Manchester City added.

Potential sanctions under Premier League regulations range from financial penalties and points deductions to expulsion from the league. A points deduction could be applied retrospectively, potentially raising the possibility of Manchester City being stripped of some previous titles.

The club has until Friday 2 October to appeal the independent commission’s findings, while the Premier League board intends to complete the process as quickly as possible.