Guardiola Backs Man City After Guilty Verdict

Pep Guardiola has publicly declared his unwavering support for Manchester City’s hierarchy following a damning verdict that found the club guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations.

An independent commission determined that the reigning champions orchestrated “sham contracts” with commercial partners to conceal secret funding exceeding £830m. The league confirmed City were found guilty of all charges related to financial rule breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18, plus all but one charge regarding failure to co-operate with investigators.

The club maintains its innocence and has until 2 October to lodge an appeal.

Guardiola, who managed City from July 2016 until last summer, took to social media with an emotional message for supporters.

“I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever,” he wrote. “I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, [manager] Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

During his tenure, Guardiola delivered six Premier League titles—including four consecutive from 2020-21—alongside Champions League glory, three FA Cups and five League Cups. Even before his departure, he stated in November 2024 that he “will be here” regardless of relegation.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak expressed continued confidence in proving the club’s innocence, while chief executive Ferran Soriano claimed “irrefutable evidence” had been “ignored” by the commission. The Abu Dhabi United Group-owned club said they were “both disappointed and surprised” by the verdict.

Former City defender Micah Richards spoke of his anguish upon reading the findings. “The reports were troubling,” he said on The Rest is Football podcast. “I saw the words which were used by the Premier League in ‘sham contracts’ and I felt absolutely devastated. I was at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club.”

Richards, 38, revealed his former landlady—a lifelong City supporter—called him in tears. “That’s someone who’s supported the club for 60-odd years and the uncertainty around it is just heartbreaking,” he added. “To have a headline of this nature for a club that I love so much, it’s been difficult.”

Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, directed his sympathy toward City’s players. “They’ll almost feel like a lot of their career is going to have an asterisk,” he said. “The players were told everything was fine. What the [City] hierarchy are coming out with now, they’re just gaslighting. I think the titles should be taken off their list.”

Carragher noted the impact on Steven Gerrard’s near-miss in 2013-14, when City overtook Liverpool to claim the title. “Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Man City,” he said. “It’s not about medals, it’s about feelings.”