Pep Guardiola has made remarks regarding the Financial Fair Play (FFP) hearing. The Premier League’s financial regulations are alleged to have been broken by Manchester City, and manager Pep Guardiola is happy that the hearing into these charges, which total 115, will begin on Monday.
Between 2009 and 2018, City was accused of breaking the Premier League’s financial regulations. City won three Premier League titles during that time. City has consistently denied any misconduct, stating in February 2023 that they “welcome the review” and possess a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to prove their innocence. After a four-year investigation, City was charged and referred to an independent commission in February 2023. The case will be heard by an independent panel starting on September 16, with the hearing expected to last around two months.
Manchester City claims a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” supports their case, and they vehemently deny any and all of the charges.
Guardiola stated, “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon,” in reference to the hearing. “An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward to the decision.
“I’m not a lawyer; there are many in this country and Spain. I wait to see. No [talked about in the dressing room]. Erling is not a lawyer. It’s gone to an independent panel. I don’t talk to them about that.
“I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumors and new specialists about the sentences. We’re going to see. I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect, and what I have read for many, many years.
“Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”
Said to be the “trial of the century” in sports, it is anticipated to last ten weeks, with a verdict, including any potential appeals, is anticipated by the end of the 2024/25 season.
The defending champions have also been charged by the Premier League with failing to cooperate with its investigation. When the Premier League investigation got underway, City said the claims were “completely untrue” and that they originated from “illegal hacking and out-of-context publication of City emails,” which was then reported in the German newspaper Der Spiegel.
Should they be found guilty of the most serious charges, City might suffer a sufficient point deduction to be facing relegation or possibly being kicked out of the Premier League.
Image credit: Mike Egerton/PA
[…] Guardiola said, “We faced a really difficult team,” whose side failed to score in a Champions League match for the first time since October 2022. […]