Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the press ahead of the weekend’s action, but when the topic of the club’s supposed financial transgressions came up, the Spaniard suggested that the media should instead question the likes of Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.
The Premier League champions were charged with over 100 occasions over multiple years of breaching the league’s financial rules. It was claimed City failed to give ‘a true and fair view of the club’s financial position’ and did not “include full details” of remunerations to players and staff (Guardian).
It is thought the investigation has lasted more than four years and the charges cover a period from 2009 to 2018. The Etihad outfit were taken over by a private equity group controlled by the Abu Dhabi royal family in 2008.
In the aftermath of this unprecedented news, it has emerged that clubs in the Premier League have called for City to receive hefty punishments, ranging from the team being kicked out of the league, and even having their previous titles stripped from them (Sky Sports).
Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen, but Guardiola has been defensive of the situation in his recent media appointments, with today’s press conference being no different.
On whether other clubs were pushing for City to be charged, Guardiola said via the Daily Mail: “Yeah of course. It’s the Premier League. I don’t know why. You should go to the chairman, the CEO’s, Daniel Levy, and ask them. Will you stop now? Since day one of the Abu Dhabi taking over the club it’s been like this!”
He added: “My first thought is we’ve already been condemned,” the City boss said. “We are lucky we live in a country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. It seems like we have already been sentenced.
“What is going to happen, I don’t know. We think we have good lawyers and I know we are going to defend our position.”
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It is unclear what penalties Manchester City will face if the league’s charges are upheld. According to Premier League rules, teams found to have violated its rules face financial penalties that could include reprimands and fines or sporting ones like points deductions in the standings or even expulsion from the top flight.
Spurs Web Opinion
This is such a messy situation and I can understand Guardiola’s frustration at being involved in it and being asked about it. However, the investigation must be respected and the appropriate punishment handed out.
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