Pep Guardiola has issued a message of support to Manchester City after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations.
The former City manager said he remained behind the club’s ownership, executives, players, staff and supporters, adding: “Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
Guardiola, who was City manager between 2016 and 2026, wrote: “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters.”
Manchester City financial charges
The commission found that City had arranged “sham” contracts with several commercial partners between 2009/10 and 2017/18 as part of what it described as a “disguised funding scheme”. The arrangements were found to have artificially inflated the club’s revenues by £830 million.
It also found that the club had filed accounts concealing the true state of its finances, significantly breached Premier League and Uefa spending limits and broken “well over 100” Premier League regulations.
Three out of four alleged breaches were upheld, while one charge was not proven. The commission also criticised City’s failure to co-operate and act in good faith during the league’s investigation.
City deny the breaches and have confirmed they will appeal. The club has until Friday October 2 to lodge its appeal against the ruling.
In a statement, chief executive Ferran Soriano described the process as a “Premier League conspiracy theory” in a video message to players and staff.
The club separately said it was “disappointed and surprised” by the commission’s opinion and maintained that it was innocent of the accusations.
“A comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case,” City said. “The club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.”
City said the opinion contained “clear material errors, of law, principle and fact” and was unsafe, adding that it would pursue the appeal avenues available to it.
The commission said it was “regrettable” that the decision had taken so long to reach. The hearing took place between September and December 2024.
