As Manchester City faces a significant legal battle over 115 charges related to financial breaches, manager Pep Guardiola remains calm, urging patience and fairness ahead of the hearings set to begin on Monday.
The charges, which date back to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, have loomed over the club, but Guardiola insists it’s all about letting the process unfold.
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"Everybody is innocent until proven guilty" - Pep Guardiola
When asked about the pending charges, Guardiola didn’t mince words. "Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. We will see," he said, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the decision from an independent panel. While some have rushed to speculate about the consequences for City, Guardiola isn’t losing sleep over it.
"I'm happy it's starting on Monday," he added. "I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect… but we will see. It’s all in the hands of the lawyers now."
The charges against Manchester City are no small matter, with accusations of financial rule violations spanning almost a decade.
🚨🔵 Pep Guardiola on 115 charges: “Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. We will see”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 13, 2024
“I'm not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country and in Spain...”.
“I'm happy it's starting on Monday. I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect…”. pic.twitter.com/5JYNXp7MIV
If found guilty, City could face severe consequences, including a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League. However, the case is expected to stretch well into 2025, leaving plenty of time for debate, rumors, and speculation.
Guardiola, ever the tactician, remains focused on the game. "I am not a lawyer. Erling [Haaland] is not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country and in Spain, but I will wait and see."
Man City focus remains on the pitch
While the legal battles rage on in the background, Manchester City continues to dominate on the field, with star striker Erling Haaland already netting seven goals in the first three games of the season. Opponents like Brentford are left scratching their heads, with manager Thomas Frank admitting that stopping Haaland is "close to impossible."
"His movements in the box are some of the best we’ve ever seen," Frank said. "He’s a decent player in the best team in the world."
As City’s legal drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the team isn’t slowing down on the pitch.
