Pep Guardiola, despite Manchester City facing numerous charges for breaching Premier League regulations, maintains his support for financial fair play (FFP), emphasising the importance of punishing clubs that violate its rules. He firmly asserts Manchester City's innocence regarding the over 100 claims of breaking financial regulations, stating they're innocent until proven otherwise.
Financial Fair Play aims to control spending and prevent clubs from facing severe financial crises. However, some argue it might discourage wealthy investors from elevating clubs. Guardiola was asked if he supports FFP given this concern.
Everton recently incurred a significant 10-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). City tops the table by a slim margin and faces Liverpool and Arsenal soon.
Guardiola expressed confidence in Manchester City's innocence: "Why should I not believe (we are innocent)? It's the lawyers to make the defence in front of the judge. We wait and after we accept the resolutions."
Amidst criticism following Everton's penalty, fans from other clubs hope for similar consequences for City. Guardiola declined comparison, stating these are distinct cases and complexities.
"I'm not going to say one word about Everton because I don't know the reality of what happened. They are two completely different cases," Guardiola clarified. Regarding talks of City dropping to lower leagues, he emphasised the dissimilarities in cases and complexities.
He added, “I know people are saying, 'Why don't City go to the Conference' (the National League and lowest division on the English football pyramid). But let's wait. It's two different cases, it's not the same. One of them is longer, it's more complicated.”
Despite leading City to a historic Champions League victory last season, Guardiola remains committed: "You're questioning me like we have been punished. At the moment, we're innocent. There is more chance I will stay if we are in League One than if we win the Champions League."