Guardiola Expresses Frustration Over Legal Proceedings

An increasingly exasperated Pep Guardiola recently conveyed his dissatisfaction regarding the prolonged wait for the verdict in Manchester City’s significant legal dispute with the Premier League, which involves allegations of violating over 100 financial regulations.

In light of the ongoing delays that overshadow City’s accomplishments, Guardiola remarked, “They must be extremely busy.”

Background of the Allegations

The Premier League first accused City of breaching 115 rules in February 2023, primarily linked to financial fair play regulations from 2009 to 2018, during which time the club secured three Premier League titles. Additionally, the club allegedly failed to cooperate with multiple Premier League inquiries from 2018 to 2023.

A clerical mistake in the calculation of these rules has led some to claim that the total alleged breaches could be as high as 130, although the figure of 115 remains prevalent.

City asserts that all allegations are unfounded.

The crux of the Premier League’s accusations is that City’s owners allegedly inflated their revenue figures to enable themselves to spend freely without incurring losses, which would violate financial fair play regulations. This purported artificial increase in earnings reportedly stemmed from advantageous sponsorship deals with companies they controlled.

Further Accusations and Guardiola’s Role

City has also faced allegations of concealing the true amount spent on the salary of one of their managers to keep the payments under wraps, purportedly allowing him to earn more than what was officially reported.

Guardiola, who has been at the helm since 2016, saw only one of his Premier League titles (2017-18) fall within the period of financial scrutiny. However, as the face of the club for nearly a decade, he has borne the brunt of the inquiries regarding these allegations since they emerged in 2023.

The hearings between City and the Premier League occurred from September 16 to December 6, 2024, but a decision is still pending. Guardiola had previously estimated in February 2025 that it would only take “one month” for the independent panel to reach a conclusion. Nearly a year later, the City manager declined to make further predictions.

Guardiola Remains in the Dark

When probed about the ongoing legal situation, Guardiola admitted, “I ask the same question as you, so I don’t have the answer. Maybe you know more than I do.”

He added, “I would love to have information, but I simply don’t know. The answer remains the same as it was one, two, or three years ago. They must be very occupied.”

If found guilty, City could face penalties ranging from fines to potential relegations. Given the unprecedented nature of such a case in English football, a cautious approach is understandable due to the potential widespread implications for the sport.