Pep Guardiola has revealed that a verdict in Manchester City’s case concerning 115 charges of alleged financial misconduct could be delivered by February or March 2024. This comes after the conclusion of a three-month hearing in London on December 6.
Manchester City stand firm in their defense against the charges, which cover a period from 2009 to 2018. Despite the number of charges reaching 130, the Premier League champions have denied any wrongdoing, with potential consequences ranging from points deductions, transfer bans, and even relegation.
An independent committee will now assess each charge before delivering their verdict, though no official timeline has been provided for this process. Guardiola’s recent comments offer insight into when the decision may be made.
RECALL:
The trial has created significant uncertainty for Manchester City, with various potential outcomes still in play. Guardiola’s squad has been under pressure throughout the legal process, with many wondering what the final result might mean for the club’s future.
Though Guardiola typically refrains from discussing such matters, his comments ahead of City’s game against Aston Villa provided a glimpse into when clarity on the case might come.
QUOTES:
Guardiola was asked about the potential impact of the ongoing trial on Manchester City’s January transfer plans. He responded:
“I don’t know. It’s going to happen in winter time. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I know the people are expecting that but I don’t know. In February, March, [maybe] will be the sentence.”
This timeline suggests a faster resolution than initially anticipated, as many had expected the verdict to be delivered after the 2024/25 season.
CITATIONS:
Guardiola’s comments were shared by The Guardian, where he provided some of the clearest details yet about when the verdict could be expected.
KEEP IN MIND:
Despite the legal uncertainty surrounding the club, Guardiola remains focused on Manchester City’s Premier League performance. With City currently sitting in fifth place and trailing league leaders Liverpool by nine points, Guardiola is eager to close the gap and steer the team back to winning ways.
“We have to try again,” Guardiola said. “If you fall down six times, you have to stand up seven. There’s not an alternative. I am fine. I am a normal person. When it is going well I am better, when it is not going well professionally we are more concerned about what we have to do.”
Manchester City’s immediate goal will be to regain form and reduce the deficit to the league leaders while awaiting a decision on the ongoing financial trial.
