07/14/2020 - 12:24
- Clarín.com
- sports
Pep Guardiola gets on any ring. He is brave on and off the court. And he knows how to use different tactics depending on the context. Years ago he knew how to draw his false modesty by recognizing that his rival on duty, José Mourinho was "the fucking master" of the controversies and cross statements before the press. He was angry, off-axis, and chose to let himself win off the field of play to swallow poison and spit it out on the green grass. Guardiola now put on the other suit. And he becomes the "fucking master".
"It would be nice if they stopped criticizing Manchester City after the TAS resolution, but I don't think it will happen. Yesterday was a great day because we showed that we played the same rules as all elite clubs. We can play in the Champions League the next season because what we have done is correct, it is correct ", he affirmed after the resolution of the Court that lifts the suspension of his team for alleged financial fraud and enables them to play the Champions League.
Pep wanted to talk. He was hunkered down, bills ready to start paying. Hours earlier Jurgen Klopp had spoken. "I am happy that City play the Champions League but it is a sad day for football," said the German who heads Liverpool.
“The Fair Play is there to protect the teams, the competition, so that no one spends too much, to make sure that the money they want to spend is based on the right sources. If the richer clubs and countries can do what they want to do, then that makes it difficult. "
And Guardiola, without pointing out his colleagues, picked up the glove with style. “The clubs that accused us should ask for forgiveness. The presumption of innocence never protected us. I understand that it is not comfortable for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or Tottenham but they have to know that we have proceeded correctly. If they want to beat us, let it be on the field of play. "
UEFA had accused Manchester City, owned by Emirati sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, of inflating revenue by its sponsors linked to the club owner's company Abu Dhabi United Group, in order to comply with strict regulations of the Financial Fair Play between 2012 and 2016.
After the appeal of the English club, the TAS determined on Monday that these alleged infractions could not be established or prescribed, after five years had passed. In this way, they lifted the ban on competing in international competitions, although they established an economic fine of 10 million euros for "not cooperating sufficiently with UEFA" in providing the corresponding information on their balance sheets.
At this point Mourinho focused his criticism. "I know money is easy for them, but they are principles. The decision is embarrassing because if Manchester City is not guilty they would not have to pay 10 million. If they are not guilty, they should not pay a fine. If they are guilty, the decision is also shameful because they should be penalized, "argued the DT of Tottenham.
He added: "They are shameful in both cases. It is a disaster. I am not saying that they are guilty, I am saying that if they are not, they should not pay. They should not be penalized. Perhaps they are victims because they did nothing and they have to pay millions. Not at all".
With a play, Guardiola beat two of his classic rivals. And he did not hesitate to prove it. "I am incredibly happy about the decision," said Pep, "which shows that what other people said about the club was not true. Sometimes we have congratulated our rivals despite suffering unfair defeats, now it is their turn. We have invested a lot of money, like many other clubs. I don't want to apologize for anything. We were hurt. And it's a shame because I think they won't stop doubting. If we did something wrong, we would accept the decision of UEFA and TAS because we had done something wrong. We have the right to defend ourselves when we believe that what we have done is correct. Three independent judges said that. "
Spanish League President Javier Tebas criticized TAS for reversing the ruling against City. REUTERS
The Manchester City coach took the opportunity and also pointed to the president of the Spanish League, Javier Tebas, who had accused the TAS of not being up to it.
"Mr. Thebes must be very jealous of the Premier League," Guardiola retorted. “He is an incredible legal expert. Next time I will ask you which judges should go. You have to focus on the League. He is one of those who, when the sentence goes in his favor, is perfect, as has happened in Spain. But when you go against him there are always problems. Mr Thebes, we will be in the Champions League next season because what we did was the right thing. "
With the winning clean and jerk, the Spanish coach took the opportunity to ratify his future. "My personal situation is clear because a month ago I said I would continue even if we couldn't play in the Champions League."
With these two good news, Manchester City is going to launch again to the pass market - according to the English press - with an investment of more than 170 million euros. In addition, they will shield their figures, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesús.
Possible reinforcements include David Alaba, from Bayern Munich, and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, from Napoli. Other names that are mentioned are those of the youthful Ferran Torres, of Valencia, and the Argentine Lautaro Martínez, who was reunited with the goal in Inter's triumph over Torino and is also sought by Barcelona