Pep Guardiola has thrown his support behind Manchester City as the club prepares to challenge an independent commission’s finding that it committed serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.
Guardiola, who spent a decade as City manager before leaving in 2026, said he remained firmly behind the club following the publication of the commission’s findings.
“I am, always have been, always will be, behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters,” Guardiola said in a social media message.
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
The ruling relates to City’s finances between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, before Guardiola joined the club.
The commission found that City used a series of commercial arrangements it described as “sham” contracts, with funding from the club’s owner, Abu Dhabi United Group, helping to inflate reported revenues and reduce costs.
It said the arrangements affected the club’s accounts by more than £900 million and that City had significantly breached both Premier League and UEFA spending limits during the period.
The commission also found that City failed to cooperate fully with the Premier League’s investigation, which began in 2018 and led to more than 100 charges being brought in 2023.
City reject the findings and have confirmed they will appeal. The deadline for an appeal is Oct. 2.
The financial ruling does not immediately determine City’s punishment. The Premier League said sanctions will be considered separately by the independent commission after the appeal process, with fines, points deductions and other sporting sanctions among those available under its rules.
The case therefore remains ongoing, with both the appeal and a separate sanctions process still to be completed.
