Pep Guardiola Responds to Financial Charges as City Face Crucial Verdict | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola Expects Verdict on Manchester City’s Financial Charges Within a Month

Hearing Nears Conclusion for Manchester City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed the club anticipates learning the outcome of its 115 alleged Premier League financial rule breaches within a month. The independent commission overseeing the hearing convened between September and December, tasked with evaluating whether City violated financial regulations.

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City, who vehemently deny the allegations, face severe potential consequences if found guilty. The commission holds broad authority, capable of imposing penalties ranging from hefty points deductions to outright relegation. In September, Guardiola, who extended his contract until 2027 earlier this season, vocalised his frustration, stating critics wanted the reigning Premier League champions “wiped from the face of the Earth.”

While no official date has been provided for the verdict, it’s widely expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2025. Guardiola, however, hinted at a more immediate timeline, suggesting clarity is just weeks away. “In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence,” he said. “After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”

Transfer Market Moves Amid Uncertainty

Questions have arisen over whether City’s record-breaking £180m winter transfer window spending spree was influenced by the looming threat of a transfer ban. Guardiola dismissed such speculation, attributing the investments to squad strengthening amid a challenging season.

City’s winter acquisitions include:

This £180m outlay marks the second-largest mid-season spend by a Premier League club, trailing only Chelsea’s £275m splurge in 2023. Remarkably, City’s spending exceeded the combined expenditure of the rest of the Premier League.

Struggles on the Pitch Reflect in the Table

Despite their significant investment, Manchester City’s on-field performance has faltered. Guardiola’s squad sits fifth in the league table, 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot following Jürgen Klopp’s departure in May 2024.

Guardiola was quick to defend the club’s spending habits, stressing that City’s financial activity has been balanced by profitable player sales over the past three seasons. Transfers like Cole Palmer to Chelsea and Liam Delap to Ipswich have generated a combined £57.5m.

“My words will not convince people,” Guardiola admitted. “I know with this club it is always ‘just about the money.’ But in the past five years, we are the last among the top six for net spend. Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Arsenal, Tottenham. Even from Liverpool. The only reason why is we sell a lot in the last seasons.”

Awaiting the Outcome

As the hearing’s decision looms, Manchester City’s future in the Premier League hangs in the balance. Guardiola’s focus remains on navigating both the legal proceedings and the remainder of the season, with the club’s fate intertwined with the commission’s impending verdict.