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Pep Guardiola has publicly backed Manchester City following the club’s guilty verdict over serious Premier League financial breaches.
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An independent commission found City guilty of breaches covering nine seasons between 2009/10 and 2017/18.
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Manchester City denies the findings and plans to appeal, with the club having until October 2 to lodge its appeal.
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The commission found that City used “sham” commercial arrangements which artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs by more than £900 million.
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Potential sanctions will be considered separately, with the final consequences yet to be determined.
September 30, (THEWILL) – Guardiola’s statement did not directly address the individual findings against Manchester City or explain his position on the alleged financial breaches.
Instead, the former City boss focused on his relationship with the club and his support for the people connected to it.
That support is significant given Guardiola’s place in Manchester City’s modern history.
He spent 10 years in charge of the club, winning multiple domestic trophies and overseeing the team during one of the most successful periods in its history.
His departure in 2026 ended a managerial relationship that had transformed Manchester City into one of the dominant forces in English and European football.
Now, with the club facing one of the most serious disciplinary cases in Premier League history, Guardiola has publicly reaffirmed his loyalty.
“We will get through this together. I love you all”, he said.
What Is Manchester City Guilty Of?
The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules during the period between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons.
According to the Premier League, the commission found that City arranged “sham” contracts with a number of commercial partners and relied on other arrangements that misrepresented the true agreements between the parties.
The commission concluded that the arrangements were part of a disguised funding scheme that artificially inflated Manchester City’s revenues and reduced its costs by more than £900 million during the period under investigation.
The commission also found that the club filed misstated accounts and concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and football regulators.
Manchester City were also found to have significantly breached both Premier League and UEFA spending limits.
In addition, the commission upheld three of four alleged breaches relating to the club’s co-operation with the Premier League’s investigation.
The commission concluded that City had made “concerted efforts to stop and frustrate” the investigation.
Manchester City Rejects Verdict
Manchester City has strongly rejected the findings.
The club described itself as “disappointed and surprised” by the decision and maintained that it is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League.
City also said it possesses what it described as a comprehensive body of evidence supporting its position.
The club has argued that the commission’s opinion contains what it considers material errors of law, principle and fact and has confirmed that it intends to pursue the available appeal avenues.
Chief executive Ferran Soriano has also addressed Manchester City players and staff in an internal video message following the verdict.
According to Sky Sports, Soriano described the Premier League’s case as a “Premier League conspiracy theory” and maintained that the club has evidence supporting its position.
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What Happens Next?
Manchester City’s guilty verdict does not immediately bring the case to an end.
The club has until Friday, October 2, 2026, to appeal the independent commission’s findings.
If City exercises that right, the appeal will be handled under the Premier League’s disciplinary process.
The issue of sanctions will also be dealt with separately.
The Premier League has confirmed that a further hearing before the independent commission will determine what punishment should follow the findings.
Possible sanctions include fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties, although no final punishment has yet been announced.
The Premier League has also said it intends to move through the remaining stages of the process as quickly as possible.
A Verdict After Years of Investigation
The case has been years in the making.
The Premier League began its investigation into Manchester City in December 2018 before issuing its formal complaint in February 2023.
The independent commission subsequently held a 42-day hearing, which concluded in December 2024.
The commission acknowledged that it had taken considerably longer than expected to produce its decision.
The published findings now represent a major development in one of the most closely watched disciplinary cases in English football.
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Guardiola’s Message Comes at a Crucial Moment
For Guardiola, the verdict arrives after a decade in which he became closely associated with Manchester City’s rise to the top of English football.
For the club, however, attention has now shifted from the verdict itself to the next stages of the process.
City must decide whether to formally appeal, while the Premier League prepares for the separate sanctions hearing.
Guardiola has chosen to publicly stand with his former club as that process unfolds.
His message was brief but clear.
He remains behind Manchester City, its ownership, staff, players and supporters.
And as the club prepares for its next legal battle, the former manager believes they will face it together.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
