Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he is happy that his club’s 115 charges for alleged breaches of the English Premier League financial fair play will begin on Monday, September 16, 2024.
In the pre-match press conference ahead of the Brentford game in the Premier League, he said, “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon.”
“An independent panel will decide, and I am looking forward to the decision. 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.”
Pep Guardiola also claimed he has not discussed the case with his players. He said, “No. I’m not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country and in Spain, but I wait. We’re going to wait and see.”
“We are not lawyers. Erling Haaland is not a lawyer, so we didn’t talk about it. What is going to happen is with the independent panel, and we will accept the sentence.”
After four years of investigation, the Premier League reigning champion was charged and sent on to an independent commission in February 2023.
It was alleged that the reigning Champions breached the English FA financial fair play from 2009 to 2018.
The Manchester City bosses went ahead to strongly deny all the financial fair play charges, stating that there is no comprehensive evidence to support the allegations.
The Manchester City trial is expected to last for 10 weeks. The trial will end in 2025.
The reigning Champions were also accused of not cooperating with the investigation, which was later revealed to be a false claim by the club hierarchy.
What Will Happen If Manchester City Are Found Guilty Of Breaching Financial Fair Play?
If Manchester City are found guilty of breaching the financial fair play, they are likely to be relegated to the English Championship.
Also, the English FA may strip the Football Club of the eight Premier League titles won since the 2011-2012 season.
They might receive a huge point deduction if found guilty and be dismissed from the Premier League.
In addition, the majority of their players are likely to leave the club to play for another football club.
Guardiola Achievements With Manchester City After A Successful Career At Bayern Munich
After a successful career at Bayern Munich, Guardiola moved to Manchester City in 2016. He won a Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, six Premier League titles and one UEFA Super Cup.
In addition, he won two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, and three Community Shields.
Guardiola is expected to add more to the trophies tally this season with his club starting the 2024-25 Premier League with three wins from three matches.
Guardiola is the first manager to win four Premier League titles in a row; he is the second manager to win the Treble with an English team.