Guardiola accused Premier League clubs of supporting Manchester City trial

On Monday, September 16, the hearings regarding Manchester City's alleged breaches of Premier League regulations are set to begin. Ahead of this, the team's manager, Pep Guardiola, stated that all the top Premier League clubs are eager for City to face punishment.

• Also read: The hearing regarding Manchester City's alleged FFP violations is set to begin next week

Details: The accusations span a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. Manchester City faces multiple charges, including the failure to provide accurate financial information, misrepresentation of player and manager payments, violations of the Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR), non-compliance with UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP), and a lack of cooperation with the Premier League’s investigation.

Earlier, La Liga president Javier Tebas remarked that many of City's main Premier League rivals are calling for the club to be sanctioned even before the hearings commence.

"I have spoken with many Premier League clubs, and most of them agree that City should be punished," Tebas stated.

During a pre-match press conference, Guardiola was asked about Tebas' comments, to which he surprisingly agreed.

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Quote: "Perhaps he's right.

It’s true that all Premier League clubs want us to be punished.

I agree with Tebas for the first, and hopefully the last, time. I am almost sure I agree with this. That's why I say to Mr. Tebas and to the Premier League clubs: wait for the independent commission."

Reminder: Previously, Guardiola expressed his relief at the legal process finally moving forward, stating that "everyone is innocent until proven guilty."

If the charges are proven, Manchester City could face severe consequences, including the stripping of Premier League titles and, in the worst-case scenario, relegation to the Championship.