Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said on Friday that he was totally 'convinced' the club was innocent of charges of flouting financial fair-play regulations, but added that he believed it had 'already' been sentenced in the minds of many.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to the press for the first time since Manchester City were accused of breaches of financial fair-play rules for the period 2009-2018 by the Premier League earlier this week, Guardiola said his "first thought is we've already been condemned."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are lucky we live in a country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. It seems like we have already been sentenced," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If found guilty, City face a range of punishments, ranging from a fine, to having points docked, or even relegation from the Premier League, a Xinhua report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The club had a ban for breaking UEFA's financial fair-play regulations overturned by the Court of Arbitration in Sport in 2020 and the current investigation is expected to last for at least a year before any conclusions are reached, leaving an atmosphere of uncertainty over Man City's future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"What is going to happen? I don't know. We think we have good lawyers and I know we are going to defend our position."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"This happened with UEFA, it is the same: the same articles, the same accusations. We will defend ourselves like what happened in the UEFA situation. The court will dictate what happens."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
I am fully convinced that we will be innocent," Guardiola said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked if the charges could affect his future at the club, Guardiola gave a clear answer: "I am not moving from this seat, I can assure you. I want to stay more than ever," he insisted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The coach also made it clear he believes other clubs are behind the charges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Of course - it is the Premier League," he explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The coach also made it clear he believes other clubs are behind the charges.<\/p>\r\n\r\n