Pep Guardiola has welcomed news that Manchester City’s long-awaited hearing into alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations is set to begin on Monday.
City are facing 115 charges after being referred to an independent commission in February 2023 following a four-year league investigation.
The alleged financial infringements occurred between 2009 and 2018, while City have also been accused of failing to co-operate with the investigation.
City boss Guardiola said: “It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon. An independent panel will decide. I’m looking forward to the decision.”
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There have been claims City – champions for six of the past seven seasons – could face a heavy points penalty, a severe fine or even expulsion from the competition if found guilty.
The club have denied any wrongdoing and said they have “irrefutable evidence” to prove their case.
It has been reported the hearing could last 10 weeks with a verdict due early next year, although an appeal process could further prolong the affair.
Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview Saturday’s home game against Brentford, denied the matter has been a distraction to his squad.
He said: “I don’t talk about it. 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.”
Guardiola is pleased a resolution to the issue is moving closer but stressed, whatever the opinions of people externally, the club should be considered innocent until it is proved otherwise.
He said: “I’m happy it starts on Monday and I know there will be more rumours about the sentences that come up and we’re going to see.
“I know what people are looking for, I know what they are expecting – I know it because I have read it for many years – but I’ve said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven. So we will see.”
On a more immediate matter, City are facing the prospect of two games in the space of three days this month after their Carabao Cup tie against Watford at the Etihad Stadium was scheduled for Tuesday, September 24th.
That comes two days after their home clash with Premier League title rivals Arsenal on Sunday, September 22nd.
Guardiola turned down an offer to play the game on Thursday to prevent a short turnaround before their 12.30pm kick-off against Newcastle the following Saturday.
Playing at home on Wednesday was not an option because of a clash with a Manchester United match and Guardiola was not interested in reversing the fixture – as was a possibility – to Vicarage Road.
Guardiola says he has learned complaining about scheduling is futile. “This is going to happen more and more. It’s impossible to fix all the schedules and calendars.
“People say players and managers, with their money, shouldn’t complain but it’s about health. Doctors say bodies have to recover for four or five days. We did three and now two.
“We will do our job anyway – with this salary or less salary – because we love to do it but we play Arsenal on the Sunday and it’s not an easy game and after two days later we have to do it (against Watford).
“We’re not going to change, the meetings are useless. If they decide they’re going to do it they’re going to do it.”
Guardiola said he will allow top scorer Haaland to decide on Saturday if he is mentally ready to play following the death of a close family friend. Nathan Ake is out for a month with a thigh injury.
