Guardiola backs Manchester City after financial rule breaches ruling

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pledged his support to the club after an independent commission found them guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.

“I want every single @ManCity fan to know I am here, more than ever,” Guardiola wrote on X.

“I am, always have been, always will be, behind my club, my owner, my chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak], Ferran [Soriano, City’s CEO], the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.

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

Guardiola left City at the end of last season after 10 years in charge, handing responsibility to his former assistant Enzo Maresca. During his tenure, City won six Premier League titles, including four in succession, three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.

City chief executive Ferran Soriano told club staff in a video on Tuesday that he rejected the commission’s findings. The club denies wrongdoing and has until Friday to lodge an appeal, which it has said it will do.

The charges relate to alleged use of “sham” commercial contracts to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than £900m between 2009 and 2018. The commission found City guilty of all charges concerning breaches over the nine-season period, along with three of four charges relating to the club’s alleged failure to co-operate with the investigation.

No sporting sanction has yet been imposed. It remains unclear when any punishment would be announced or whether it would take effect before City’s appeal is heard. The Premier League said it could not discuss the confidential process.

Sports lawyer Yasin Patel told Reuters the case could continue for years, particularly if City’s appeal delays any sanctions. He also said clubs could seek compensation for lost income, trophies, European places or transfer opportunities.

He cited the Premier League’s decision in June to order Everton to pay Burnley about £35m after Everton breached financial rules in 2022, when Burnley were relegated. Everton rejected the decision and their appeal is due to be heard in January 2027.

Patel said the allegations could also raise questions about whether senior figures were “fit and proper owners” and referred to the possibility of criminal proceedings or an order to sell the club.

Alex Goodchild, of London firm Bray & Krais, described potential compensation claims as an “extremely messy” and complex network of cases. He said separate proceedings could produce inconsistency, although the Premier League might seek a single process similar to a class action.

Football law expert Stefan Borson said City’s appeal, which will be heard by a new three-person panel, was likely to take priority, with any sanction potentially suspended until it concluded.

The prospect of relegation also raises questions over City’s squad. Patel and Goodchild said players commonly have release clauses, meaning other clubs could potentially sign them for reduced fees if relegation followed.