Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken out in support of the Premier League club after they were found guilty of serious breaches of financial rules. The Spaniard handed over to former assistant Enzo Maresca at the end of last season after a decade in charge. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters,” Guardiola said on Wednesday in a first reaction on his X account.
I love you all.” City’s Chief Executive Ferran Soriano addressed staff in a video on Tuesday in which he rejected the independent commission’s findings. Guardiola took charge of City in 2016 and under his management, they won six Premier League titles – including four in a row – three FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League. The Premier League charges, relating to “sham” commercial contracts used as part of schemes to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2bn) over nearly a decade, cover the period from 2009-18.
In doing so, they concealed the true state of their finances and avoided breaching Premier League and UEFA spending limits during a period in which they won three league titles. An independent commission found the club guilty on all charges related to breaches of financial rules over the nine-year period. They have also been found guilty of most of the charges they faced in relation to a failure to cooperate with a Premier League investigation.
City, who continue to deny any wrongdoing, have said they will appeal and have until Friday to do so. The ruling has sent shockwaves through English football and cast doubt over the future of a club that has become a European giant. The likely punishment is uncertain but according to Premier League rules, City could face a substantial points deduction, a fine or even expulsion from the top division.
Everton and Nottingham Forest were handed points deductions in the 2023/24 season for single breaches of financial sustainability rules. On that basis, City would likely face relegation given the sheer weight of the case against them. There is speculation they could even be stripped of their titles.
And I say that as a supporter and a fan,” said the club’s former chairman, David Bernstein. Another factor is a potential flood of compensation claims that could cost the club hundreds of millions. Former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow told the BBC that clubs would be “queueing up to seek compensation”.
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