Pep Guardiola has speculated that Manchester City will learn the outcome of an investigation into their 130 charges of alleged financial misconduct in February or March. The Spanish manager was responding to questions about whether the ongoing legal process would impact the club’s ability to sign top players.
“I don’t know. It’s going to happen in the winter. I don’t know what’s going to happen. People expect it, but I’m not sure. The verdict could come in February or March,” Guardiola, 53, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
Currently sitting in fifth place, outside the Premier League’s top four, City has only managed one win in their last six league games.
Aside from a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in early December, the reigning champions have not won any game in all competitions since their 1-0 triumph over Southampton on October 26. This makes their upcoming match at Villa Park crucial.
What are Manchester City’s 130 charges?
An inquiry into the alleged violations of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, covering a period from 2009 to 2018, concluded earlier this December. A panel is now deliberating on the verdict, with a decision expected in the coming months.
Confusion over the number of charges has stemmed from inconsistencies in the Premier League’s reporting process. Of the 130 charges, 54 are related to City’s alleged failure to provide accurate financial information from the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. The remaining 35 charges, covering the period from 2018 to 2023, involve allegations of non-cooperation with Premier League investigations.
While the outcome of the case is uncertain, Manchester City is expected to vigorously challenge any sanctions imposed, meaning the legal battle could continue into 2025—an outcome that could frustrate other Premier League clubs awaiting a resolution.
