Manchester City’s court case into the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League is underway, and boss Pep Guardiola is under no illusions as to its significance
Manchester City’s court case into the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League is underway, and boss Pep Guardiola is under no illusions as to its significance
It’s also been suggested that they may not be accepted into the English Football League – and that they could also be kicked out of the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Guardiola is under no illusions that City’s very existence is at stake during a hearing that is expected to last 10 weeks.
Guardiola said: “I am sorry to say that I always want to defend my club – especially in these modern days. It’s like everyone expects us to not just be relegated – they want us to disappear off the face of the earth.”
The behind-closed-doors Independent Commission began listening to evidence from both sides on Monday.
City face Arsenal at the Etihad in a top-of-the-table clash that will have an extra edge to it by an attempt by the Gunners to get the Blues’ ban from the Champions League upheld in March 2020 when it appeared that the covid pandemic would result in the club’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport being delayed.
Arsenal were supported by Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Newcastle, Leicester, Wolves and Burnley in their bid to have City kicked out of Europe.
But the appeal was heard remotely – and the Manchester club prevailed when their lawyers showed that none of UEFA’s accusations about Financial Fair Play breaches stood up to scrutiny.
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