Pep Guardiola has launched an extraordinary defense of Manchester Cityinsisting he is “more than ever” behind the club’s owners after they were found to have breached several financial rules.
On Tuesday, the Premier League confirmed that City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of financial regulations between 2009/10 and 2017/18, and most of the charges relating to failure to co-operate with the investigation.
A damning statement concluding the investigation by an independent commission highlighted a series of “bogus contracts” set up by the club to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs through a “disguised financing scheme” on a scale of more than £900m.
This allowed City to circumvent the rules and spend lavishly in the transfer market with Guardiola able to bolster his squad with John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane.
These players won a number of trophies at the Etihad, with Guardiola finally stepping down at the end of last season having won six Premier League crowns, three FA Cup trophies and the 2023 Champions League.
City have repeatedly protested their innocence and intend to appeal with Guardiola also speaking out in defense of the club’s owners, City Football Group Limited, led by Abu Dhabi royal family member Sheikh Mansour and run by Khaldoon Al Mubarak and Ferran Soriano.
Guardiola remained steadfast in his defense of the club on Wednesday with an Instagram post which read: “I want all Manchester City supporters around the world to know that I am here – more than ever. I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, the staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together.
“I love you all.” 🩵
