Manchester City under accusation: Guardiola says we’ll beat the crisis

The day after the earthquake that struck Manchester City, the Premier League published the verdict of its independent commission, declaring the club guilty of financial violations between 2009 and 2018, while Pep Guardiola promised “We will overcome” the crisis.

Premier League Commission and the Blues' response

The commission found Manchester City responsible for all the main allegations, opening an unprecedented scenario in Premier League history. The Sky Blues immediately announced the appeal, describing the verdict as “surprising and disappointing”.

The club claims to have produced incontrovertible evidence supporting its position and accuses the proceedings of containing clear material errors of law, principle and fact.

Possible sanctions and public reactions

Sporting consequences could range from a simple points deduction to relegation to the Championship, up to exclusion from the English league or the revocation of titles won during the examined period, as the Premier League does not have a preset grid for such serious cases.

Pep Guardiola firmly backs Manchester City despite the scandal

The debate is already heated: The Sun opens with “Going down?”, Daily Star asks “Ban City”, talks of chaos in the Premier League and The Times reports about £900 million of inflated revenue, also suggesting individual responsibility for some executives.

Pep Guardiola, former manager of the Citizens, posted on social media: “I am here, now more than ever. I have always been and will always stand by my team, the chairman, the players, the staff and the fans. We will get through all this together.”

Ferran Soriano, chief executive officer, reassured employees by describing the accusations as based on “a single false allegation” and assured that City will lodge an appeal wherever possible.

Soriano’s aloof stance fuels Premier League probe into City

The Premier League’s verdict is only the first chapter; the real match will be played off the pitch, between appeals, possible sanctions and a lengthy legal battle, putting at risk not only points or trophies but the image built over the past fifteen years of Manchester City.