As Manchester City prepare to face Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan in the Champions League final, Pep Guardiola has called on the Premier League to resolve the 115 charges against the club “as soon as possible”. The charges, which were made in February, relate to alleged breaches of financial rules over a nine-year period, and could lead to a points deduction or even relegation if City are found guilty. However, Guardiola has defended his team against accusations of wrongdoing, and has said that he would not hesitate to walk away if he felt that the club’s hierarchy had lied to him.
Many of the charges relate to alleged offences that saw City found guilty by UEFA and kicked out of European competition in 2020, only to be reinstated on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. With two league games left and two Cup finals looming, there is speculation that Guardiola might walk away if City become only the second team in English football history to land the league, FA Cup, and European Cup in the same season. However, the coach has dismissed that possibility and said that he plans to see out his contract until 2025, regardless of the charges.
Guardiola has called on the Premier League and judges to “make something as soon as possible” so that everyone can know if City have done something wrong or not. He has said that if the club has done wrong, they will accept it, but if they have “done things in the right way”, then he hopes that people will stop talking about it. Guardiola has also expressed concern that the charges could take three or four years to resolve, and has urged the judges to present both sides and make a decision as soon as possible.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the charges, Guardiola has said that the possibility of winning the treble will not dim his ambition and motivation, and that he fully intends to see out his contract. He has also praised the “easier” environment at City, saying that while the demands are high, the off-pitch environment is more comfortable than at other clubs.
In conclusion, the charges against Manchester City for alleged breaches of financial rules have cast a shadow over their achievements, and Pep Guardiola has called on the Premier League to resolve the charges as soon as possible. While the charges are a cause for concern, Guardiola’s commitment to the club and his team’s focus on winning the FA Cup and Champions League finals suggest that they are not letting the charges distract them from their goals. The resolution of the charges may take time, but Guardiola’s comments indicate that he is willing to wait and defend the club’s principles, while also hoping for a speedy resolution that will put the matter to rest.
