Guardiola backs Man City amid Premier League guilty verdict on financial breaches
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola voiced strong support for the club on Wednesday after they were found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules. In a post on X, he told fans: “I want every single @ManCity fan to know I am here; more than ever… I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman Ferran Soriano, the players, staff, Enzo Maresca, and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
The Premier League announced on Tuesday that Manchester City had been found guilty of serious breaches over a nine-season period from 2009 to 2018, facing over 100 charges. An independent commission found the club arranged sham contracts with commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues, hiding their true financial state to avoid Premier League and UEFA spending limits. The club was also found guilty on most charges related to failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Although no sanction has been imposed yet, Manchester City denies the charges and plans to appeal. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club is confident it can prove its innocence. Over the past 15 years, City have won eight Premier League titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups, and their first Champions League in 2023. Guardiola himself won 20 trophies during his ten-year tenure before departing in May 2023.
For Nigerian fans who follow the club, this raises questions about the team’s future reputation, potential penalties, and continued loyalty. Will you continue to support Manchester City despite the allegations, or wait for the appeal outcome before deciding?