Pep Guardiola claimed he was unaware of Manchester City’s breaches of Premier League rules concerning kick-off delays and humorously suggested he might shorten his team talks as a result.
This week, City were fined over £2 million by the Premier League for 22 instances of late or delayed kick-offs over the past two seasons.
Following initial warnings, the league escalated the fines for repeat offenses, ranging from £10,000 to a maximum of £200,000.
The Premier League’s official statement on the judgment noted that City had been reminded of their responsibilities to ensure games start and restart punctually.
These charges and fines are unrelated to the club’s 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations or its ongoing legal dispute with the Premier League over Associated Party Transactions rules.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the fines were announced, Guardiola said he had “read the news when it appeared” and dismissed the punishment with a light-hearted remark, joking that he would “try to make my halftime speeches shorter.”
The manager provided an encouraging update on Erling Haaland’s fitness after the striker was substituted at half-time in City’s last two friendlies.
The first substitution was part of a pre-planned rotation, while the second was due to Haaland reporting muscular issues during the match against Barcelona in Orlando.
Guardiola had previously stated that he would not risk Haaland in friendlies if it meant he might miss weeks of competitive action.
However, he acknowledged that ‘sooner or later’ Haaland would need to resume training.
Now, Haaland has reported an improvement in his condition.
Guardiola said, “He is much better. He told me today he woke up feeling much better, and hopefully tomorrow he can play a few minutes.”
Haaland also boosted his recovery by training at Lower.com Field, home of MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew, in front of 6,000 City fans in Ohio.
Attendance was affected by high ticket prices and poor weather.
Guardiola declined to comment on rumours linking Atletico Madrid with a move for striker Julian Alvarez, who is currently competing in the Olympics in Paris with Argentina.
However, he did offer kind words about his former staff member, Enzo Maresca, who is now managing Chelsea.
“I’m really pleased for him,” Guardiola said.
“We spent a special year together.
“He is an incredible, lovely person. And his family too.
“He did a really good job – unbelievable – at Leicester: promotion to the Premier League and now he is in one of the top five, six teams in England.
“And I wish him the best because he deserves it. Nice people deserve the best.
“And as a manager he has success because he has the most important thing. To be a manager is believing something deeply but, really, deeply, deeply.
“And whatever the results, I stick with my idea. And that’s why he believes in what he does.
“And he will have success. I don’t know how long, but he will have it.”
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