Pep Guardiola mentioned that Manchester City anticipates receiving the verdict on their 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches “within one month”.
Under Premier League regulations, the potential consequences could include a points deduction or even expulsion from the league.
During his press conference on Friday, Guardiola dismissed speculations that the club’s recent spending spree in January was a preemptive move in light of a potential future transfer ban.
City made significant moves in the winter transfer window for the first time since acquiring Aymeric Laporte in 2018, spending £170m on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez before the deadline on Monday.
Guardiola believes that City’s actions are unfairly judged due to the wealth of their owners and their spending still falls short compared to other clubs.
He stated: “I do not agree, but my words will not convince people that our attributes are [not] just being in a wealthy position.”
“In the last five years, we are the last team in 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 reason why is we have sold a lot in the last seasons but, even with that, I know [what people say about] this club, it is always ‘just about the money’.”
“Respect the other ones but in one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want.”
In February 2023, the Premier League charged City with breaking more than 100 of its financial rules with the alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018. Manchester City denied all of the charges.
The hearing took place in front of an independent commission over 12 weeks between September and December.
A decision is expected in the spring, most likely around March and both sides have the right of appeal, which would take several months.
