The punishment expected in the coming months over Manchester City's alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations will not affect the performance of players, manager Pep Guardiola said ahead of Saturday's home match against Ipswich, BTA reported.
City were charged in February 2023 with 115 points after their acquisition by City Football, which is owned by Abu Dhabi United Group. The club could face penalties such as points deduction or relegation if found guilty.
The charges cover a period of 14 years, starting in the 2009/10 season, with 54 of them alleging that the club failed to provide correct and accurate information. Fourteen charges are for inaccurate player and coach pay, seven for breaches of the Premier League's profit and stability rules, and five for failing to comply with UEFA regulations, including financial fair play. Nottingham Forest and Everton were both deducted points last season for breaching Premier League rules. City deny the charges and contest them. An independent commission will review the 2009 allegations, and Guardiola said City would accept the decision of the relevant authorities.
The Times of London reported that a hearing in the case is due to begin next month, with the outcome expected early next year. "I am delighted that this process is starting soon and I hope it will be concluded soon to the benefit of all of us. "Especially for the club, but also for all the other clubs in the Premier League," Guardiola said.
"I want to go to trial, to the independent panel - and I say it again, to the independent panel, and as soon as possible we will find out what happened. We will accept the decision, as we always have," he added. Even with the ongoing concerns about the team's future, City added a record fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, having won the treble in the 2022-2023 season. Asked about the possible impact of the case on his team, Guardiola said: "I don't think it will have a big impact. We've been talking about it for three or four years. We know it's going to happen, we accept it and we focus on our games."