Pep Guardiola backs Manchester City after financial rules verdict — MyJoyOnline

Ghanaian outlet MyJoyOnline reported that former Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola said he would continue to support the club, its owners, management and fans. This came after an independent commission found the club guilty of breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.

According to the league, Manchester City was found guilty on all charges concerning breaches of financial rules in the seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18. The club was also found guilty on all but one charge related to inadequate cooperation with the investigation.

Commission findings and the club’s position

The independent commission found that Manchester City had entered into so-called sham contracts with several commercial partners as part of a scheme to conceal secret funding worth more than £830 million.

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The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and has until October 2 to lodge an appeal. Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said the club was still confident it could prove its innocence. Chief executive Ferran Soriano said in a video address to employees and players that the commission had ignored irrefutable evidence. The club, which is owned by Abu Dhabi United Group, described the decision as disappointing and surprising.

Guardiola’s statement

Guardiola took charge of Manchester City in July 2016 and left the post last summer. In a social media post, he said he would always stand by the club, its owner, chairman, Soriano, players, staff, head coach Enzo Maresca and fans.

Over a decade at the club, Guardiola led Manchester City to six Premier League titles, including four in a row from the 2020/21 season. The team also won the Champions League, three FA Cups and five League Cups. Before his departure, Guardiola said in November 2024 that he would remain with the club even if it were relegated from the Premier League.