Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola cut a glum figure on the club’s training pitches after being spotted for the first time since the Premier League charge sheet was announced.
The governing body of the top flight of English football announced on Monday that the reigning champions were being charged with over 100 breaches of their financial rules following a four-year investigation into the period between 2009 and 2018. It remains to be seen what sanctions City will face should they be found guilty by an independent commission, but the club have already expressed their innocence.
A club statement read: “ Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with.
“The Club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent Commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all.”
Following that, three-time Premier League winner Guardiola has been back to work on the training pitch but did not look particularly happy. The Spaniard was pictured on a drinks trolley with a glum look plastered across his face.
Meanwhile, he was also pictured leaning on his hand as he took in City’s latest training session. It remains to be seen how much the charges are dominating Guardiola’s thoughts but he and his squad will no doubt be pondering the situation.
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Interestingly, the former Barcelona schemer has previously indicated his intentions to quit the Etihad outfit should club officials lie to him about their financial situation.
Speaking in May 2022, he said: “Why did I defend the club and the people? It’s because I work with them. When they are accused of something I ask them: ‘Tell me about that.’ They explain and I believe them.
"I said to them: ‘If you lie to me, the day after I am not here. I will be out and I will not be your friend any more. I put my faith in you because I believe you 100% from day one and I defend the club because of that.”
Guardiola is under contract with City until 2025 having only put pen to paper on a two-year extension a matter of months ago. As it stands, his side remain five points off the pace in the race for this season’s Premier League crown following their defeat at the hands of Tottenham at the weekend.
They are next back in action on Sunday as they host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
