LONDON, February 10 (dpa/EP) –
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence in the club’s position after being charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules this week, and has said he wants to stay in the team. “more than ever”.
“I’m not leaving this couch, I can assure you. I want to stay more than ever”he said at the press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Guardiola had previously said he would leave the club if allegations of them breaking the rules turned out to be true. City had already been penalized in European competitions for breaching UEFA rules on financial ‘Fair Play’ following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2020.
The new rates cover a period of nine years from 2009. “The first thing I think is that they have already condemned us, as happened with UEFA. We had accusations. The club proved us completely innocent. You know which side I’m on”he pointed.
“We are lucky to live in a country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Looks like we’ve already been convicted. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We think we have good lawyers and I know we will defend our position”he claimed.
In addition, the Catalan coach assured that his players will not be inconvenienced by the case. “We trained normally to try and beat Aston Villa. The court decides what happens. I am fully convinced that we will be innocent”he expressed.
The case could take years to resolve, but Guardiola is confident his work will not be unduly affected by a potentially protracted investigation. “This happened with UEFA. I don’t think we talk about it every day. We just have to concentrate on the field”indicated.
Finally, when asked if he believes the allegations have been promoted by rival clubs, Guardiola was clear. “It is, of course, the Premier League. I do not know why. This is the kind of people you should ask the executive directors, Daniel Levy -Tottenham-“he concluded.
Source: Noti Merica
