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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has claimed that rival Premier League clubs are eager to see the club penalized for alleged breaches of financial rules. His remarks come ahead of the independent hearing into City’s 115 charges, which is set to begin on Monday. The charges, brought in February 2023 after a four-year investigation, accuse City of violating financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
City has consistently denied the accusations, asserting that they have “irrefutable evidence” to support their defense. Guardiola expressed his confidence in the independent panel and the legal process, dismissing claims made by La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has been a vocal critic of the club’s financial dealings.
“For the first time, I agree with Tebas,” Guardiola said. “All the Premier League teams want us to be sanctioned, that is for sure… But justice is there in a modern democracy.”
City’s case is being described as the “trial of the century” in the world of sports, with the hearing expected to last 10 weeks, and a verdict likely to be delivered in early 2025. If found guilty of the most serious offenses, City could face severe consequences, including relegation or expulsion from the Premier League.
Guardiola emphasized that the club has done nothing wrong, stating, “Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven.”
City’s dominance in English football, with eight league titles and a Champions League win since the 2008 Abu Dhabi-backed takeover, has fueled tensions among rivals, who believe the club has gained an unfair advantage through financial irregularities.
