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‘We will accept’ – Pep Guardiola on verdict on 115 alleged rule breaches

Pep Guardiola has stated that Manchester City will accept the independent commission’s verdict on the 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations brought against the club by the Premier League.

Guardiola emphasized that the upcoming hearing will not impact his players’ form.

The Premier League champions deny any wrongdoing concerning the charges, which date back to 2009 and were brought against the champions in February 2023.

The case is scheduled to be heard this autumn.

“I am happy that it starts soon and hopefully it will finish soon,” said Guardiola.

“For the benefit of all of us, especially the club but also other Premier League clubs and all the people who don’t wait for the sentence.

“I wish, from deep in my heart, go to the trial, the independent panel – and I say again, independent panel – and as soon as possible release what happened and we will accept, like we have always done [the verdict].

“No effect – we have been talking about that for three or four years.”

Guardiola was questioned about the timing of the case and whether it could impact his team’s performance as they pursue, among other goals, a fifth consecutive Premier League title.

“We know it is going to happen, we accept it and focus on our matches,” he insisted.

Manchester City completed the signing of Ilkay Gündogan from Barcelona on Friday.

The 33-year-old, who secured 12 major honors during his previous seven seasons with City – including five Premier League titles and the Champions League – will be included in Saturday’s matchday squad for the visit of Ipswich Town, provided his international clearance is received in time.

Pep Guardiola welcomed the return of Gündogan, who spent the past year at Barcelona, with immediate enthusiasm.

However, the City manager emphasized that, now back at the club, the German midfielder will need to compete for his spot in the team just like every other player.

“If he doesn’t perform well we play another one, we have Phil [Foden], Kevin [De Bruyne], Bernardo [Silva], Rodri there, Kova [Mateo Kovacic] there, we have Matheus [Nunes], and Macca [James McAtee], Rico [Lewis], so he has to perform,” said Guardiola.

“He has to deliver every single day, that is why the club sustains that level on top.”

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Joseph Agbobli
Joseph Agbobli
Football Correspondent at Binge Football. In the role of Football Correspondent, he's responsible for producing exclusive and original stories and interviews. Follow Joseph on X (formerly Twitter) @joseph_agbobli
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