Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed he expects the club to learn the outcome of the hearing into its 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches ‘in one month’. He gave the new timeline as he brushed off the idea that the club were expecting a transfer embargo.
It’s a situation being watched with a keen eye by every other Premier League clubs – and the wider world of football. Newcastle United are taking a keen interest in proceedings, having aligned themselves closely with City over a number of subjects recently, particularly associated party transaction (APT).
Despite not being active in winter transfers since acquiring Aymeric Laporte in 2018, City made headlines by forking out £170 million on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez before last Monday’s deadline. It was a stunning splurge which left the likes of Newcastle, who were close to securing a deal for Khusanov themselves, behind this window.
The move has been seen by some as a reaction to City’s lacklustre season so far, with the team lagging in the Premier League and barely making it into the Champions League play-offs. However, with City facing scrutiny over 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, there’s speculation that the club is bracing for possible sanctions, which could include a transfer embargo.
The Premier League referred City to an independent commission in February 2023 over 115 alleged contraventions of financial rules dating from 2009 to 2018. The Etihad club have always denied any wrongdoing.
The hearing took place in front of an independent commission between September and December. And Guardiola has revealed a verdict could be on the horizon.
He said: “In one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”
The comments came amid suggestions that City’s transfer splurge was a hint that they expect a transfer embargo when the judgement is revealed. Guardiola rejects that, however, suggests that City’s decisions are often misinterpreted due to the wealth of their owners, and insists their expenditure doesn’t compare to other clubs.
He commented: “I do not agree, but my words will not convince people that our attributes are (not) just being in a wealthy position. In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net-spend. Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Arsenal, Tottenham, even from Liverpool.”
“The reason why is we have sold a lot in the last seasons but, even with that, I know (people say about) this club, it is always ‘just about the money’.
“Respect the other ones but in one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want.”
The transfer spend comes on top of a £400m investment in hotels by City, and the whopping nine-year contract handed out to Erling Haaland recently. Stefan Bordon, a football finance expert, says it is a sure hint that the Premier League champions – who face Newcastle United on Saturday – are confident of success over their charges.
“It’s all a sign of confidence,” said Borson. “All of the spending and recent commitments are meaningful in my view. Anyone who tries to argue this is all some kind of elaborate sleight of hand isn’t credible.
“Any sensible business faced with this kind of scenario, with all that risk and uncertainty, would pause if they had a lack of confidence in the outcome of the case. You’d go: ‘We don’t know where this is going, this season has been a bit of a disaster, let’s be cautious and have a look at it again in the summer with more clarity.’
“So, unless you were supremely confident, you’d be cautious. And City are clearly investing aggressively. It’s consistent with the confidence they’ve articulated all the way along.”
Newcastle and City have emerged as allies in recent times off the pitch, at least. The clubs have repeatedly voted against associated party transaction (APT) regulations, with Newcastle providing a written statement in support of Manchester City and gave a witness testimony when the champions launched a legal fight against these rules.
City have now launched a fresh legal battle against APT rules which PiF and the Newcastle ownership group will be watching on with interest while the result of the 115 charges is awaited.
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