Pep Guardiola wants swift resolution to Premier League charges against Manchester City
City were referred to an independent commission in February over alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018, and have also been accused by the Premier League of not cooperating since the investigation started in December 2018.
The sheer scale of the charges, which the club strongly deny, and the magnitude of the implications if found guilty suggest it is a case which will drag on for months, possibly years.
Guardiola does not want a cloud hanging over his sideâs achievements, stating his desire for a swift resolution. The Catalan, who has a contract until 2025, stressed he would not walk away from the club while potential sanctions remain.
âI will stay next season while there are 110 breaches against us,â said Guardiola, who when asked whether he could extend three or four years beyond that added: âNo, no, no. These two are enough.
âWhat I would like is if the Premier League and judges could make something as soon as possible, then if we have done something wrong everybody will know it.
âAnd if, we are like we believe as a club for many years, in the right way then the people will stop talking about that. We would love it tomorrow, this afternoon better than tomorrow.
âHopefully they are not so busy and the judges can see both sides and decide what is the best because in the end I know fairly what we won we won on the pitch and we donât have any doubts.
âWe accept it is there. If it happened it happened. (But) letâs go, 24 hours sit down and lawyers present. Donât wait two years. Why donât we do it quicker? Letâs have it as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone. We want to defend our principles and if people doubt, OK, letâs go, letâs do it as soon as possible please.â
The alleged breaches concern the reporting of accurate financial information, the submission of details of manager and player pay information within the relevant contracts, a clubâs responsibility as a Premier League member to adhere to UEFAâs Financial Fair Play regulations and to the leagueâs own profitability and sustainability regulations.
The club are also alleged to have breached rules requiring them to co-operate and assist with the Premier Leagueâs investigation into those breaches, which the league says began in December 2018.
City face Manchester United in the FA Cup final at the start of June before taking on Inter Milan for what they will hope will be the final hurdle in the clubâs treble bid. Guardiola was asked whether he would consider walking away if he is finally able to lead the club to the Champions League.
âRight now I am not thinking about leaving, but who knows?â he said.
âI would like to continue here next season independent of the result. I donât know what itâs going to feel like winning or losing, but my feeling is I have a contract and I want to respect the club.â
Additional reporting by PA Sport.
