Guardiola reacts to attacks from critics after Manchester City was charged with financial breaches

Pep Guardiola has shared his thoughts on the attacks launched against Manchester City since it was reported that the club has been charged by the Premier League for financial breaches.

It was reported earlier that the English club has been charged with 101 breaches of financial regulations since the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, with the punishment a long way from being decided.

Reacting to questions on the development from reporters on Friday, February 10, Guardiola stated that while he feels they’ve already been condemned even though prosecutors are yet to prove the charges, he still believes they are “innocent until proven guilty”.

The club’s coach said;

“My thought is that we have already been condemned. Since Monday it is like what happened with UEFA. The club proved that they were completely innocent, why should I think right now, with just charges of suggestions… You have to understand that the 19 teams of the Premier League are accusing us without opportunity to defend ourselves. You know exactly on what side I am.

“We are lucky we live in a society where everybody is innocent until proven guilty. We didn’t have this opportunity. (People say) we are already guilty. I think we have good lawyers but the Premier League – supported by 19 teams – are going to take good lawyers too. If we are not innocent we will accept what the judge or Premier League decide, but what happens if it’s the same as UEFA and we are innocent? What happens to restore our damage?”