Manchester
City
is once again under scrutiny for alleged irregularities in the financial Fair Play and it has a full impact on the order maintained by the English club.
The accusation and investigation of the team in which Julián Álvarez and Máximo Perrone work came directly from the Premier League, and generated a stir to the point that, as a result of the possible sanctions that are being considered as the removal of points, the continuity of the historic coach
Pep Guardiola
was in doubt.
To calm down the fans a bit and in view of the rumors that have been growing throughout the week, this Friday
Pep
gave a press conference where he talked about the accusation and took the opportunity to clear up doubts and confirm his continuity in the
Citizens
.
"The first thing I think is that it seems that they have already sentenced us
," Guardiola quoted this Friday at a press conference referring to the new investigation.
It is that the highest category in England, and perhaps the best in the world, opened an investigation where they accuse the team of having broken market rules on
more than 100 occasions
between 2018 and 2019.
Pep Guardiola spoke about the sanction and his future at City.
EFE/EPA/Isabel Infantes
The main accusation that
City
received is that, allegedly, "it made up its books of accounts for years, made inappropriate payments to coaches and players,
avoided the rules of the 'Financial Fair Play'
(FFF) and did not cooperate with the investigations", according to published
The Times
.
Contrary to what was communicated by the Premier, the Spanish coach made a comparison with a close antecedent: "
It's like when the UEFA thing. We were already doomed
," said the club's coach since July 2016.
On that occasion, during 2020, City was sanctioned with two years without being able to play European competitions for not complying with financial rules between 2012 and 2016. Finally, the sanction had no effect since it was lifted by the European Court of Arbitration.
"The club showed that we were completely innocent
. You already know which side I am on," Pep recalled in a conference about that episode and opening a door for the problem to be resolved in favor of the club.
"We are lucky to live in a country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
It seems we have already been sentenced
.
What will happen from now on, I don't know.
I think we have good lawyers and we are going to defend our position.
We'll see what a judge decides and what the Premier League decides," Guardiola said.
Pep Guardiola, in disagreement with the accusation of the Premier with the club.
As the main actors in the investigation, the coach targeted other teams: "Be careful in the future, because
many clubs can make suggestions and accuse others
, as they accuse us, without being innocent."
And he added: "
It hurts that they want to take away what we have won on the pitch
."
"I have the feeling that in the games, each one will do his job. The players on the field, and the lawyers in court," the coach quoted hopefully.
However, beyond the words he offered about the case,
Pep
brought peace of mind when he denied the rumors about a possible departure from the club, given the sanction that, in principle, could lead to the institution's relegation to the Second Division.
"
I'm not leaving, I can assure you of that
. I want to stay more than ever. After many, many years in the Premier League, I don't want to leave," stressed the Spaniard who is in his seventh season at the club.
Pep will continue to be City manager.
REUTERS/Hannah McKay
At the end of last season, the multiple champion coach with Barcelona extended his relationship with the institution until 2025.
look too
The Premier League investigates City: why Julián Álvarez's team could lose points like Juventus in Italy
Manchester City salaries leaked amid financial scandal: the astronomical difference between Haaland and Julián
Guardiola and the scandal in Manchester City: where could he continue his career if he left?
Papu Gómez spoke about the World Cup and revealed how the elimination of Brazil against Croatia was experienced in the National Team
Carlo Ancelotti, the strongest candidate for the Brazilian National Team: from Real Madrid to the five-time champion?
