Guardiola backs Man City after guilty verdict on financial charges

September 30, 2026 at 07:27 PM2 min

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Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed support for the club after an independent commission found it guilty of serious financial rule breaches. City CEO Ferran Soriano rejected the findings in a staff video, and the club plans to appeal by Friday. The ruling could lead to a points deduction, fine, or expulsion from the Premier League.

Key Facts

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty on all charges related to financial rule breaches from 2009 to 2018.
The Premier League charges involved inflating revenue and understating costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2bn) over nearly a decade.
Manchester City have until Friday to appeal the verdict.
Under Premier League rules, City could face a points deduction, a fine, or expulsion from the top division.
Former chairman David Bernstein said if the appeal fails, Manchester City cannot stay in the league.

Guardiola's Support

Pep Guardiola, who managed Manchester City from 2016 to May 2026, posted a message of support on his X account on Wednesday. He wrote: "I want every single @ManCity fan to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters." Guardiola won 20 trophies during his decade at City, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. He handed over to former assistant Enzo Maresca at the end of last season.

Verdict and Charges

The independent commission found the club guilty on all charges related to breaches of financial rules over the nine-year period from 2009 to 2018. The charges relate to "sham" commercial contracts used to inflate revenue and understate costs by more than 900 million pounds ($1.2bn). City were also found guilty of most charges related to failure to cooperate with a Premier League investigation. The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and has said it will appeal, with a deadline of Friday.

Potential Consequences

Under Premier League rules, City could face a substantial points deduction, a fine, or even expulsion from the top division. Everton and Nottingham Forest received points deductions in the 2023/24 season for single breaches of financial sustainability rules. Former chairman David Bernstein said: "If the appeal fails, Manchester City cannot stay in the league, they have to suffer." Former Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow told the BBC that clubs would be "queueing up to seek compensation".