Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the long-awaited hearing into Manchester City’s alleged financial violations is set to begin on Monday.
Manchester City faces over 100 charges related to financial issues that span a nine-year period when the club was working to become a major force in English soccer. The hearing will be conducted by an independent commission composed of three judges chosen by a lawyer who leads the league’s judicial panel.
City denies the accusations, and Guardiola said Friday that he is pleased to have the opportunity to clear the club’s name. The hearing will be closed to the public, and a decision is not expected until next year.
“I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumors,” he said at a press conference. “We’re going to see. I know what people are looking for. I know what they are expecting, I know what I read for many, many years. … Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”
The charges, announced in February of last year, followed a four-year investigation. These alleged breaches have been a concern for City during a time when the club has become a top team in world soccer—winning the Champions League for the first time in 2023 and securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title last season.
City is accused of giving misleading information about its finances from 2009 to 2018 after being purchased by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in 2008. During this time, City signed top players like Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, and Kevin de Bruyne and won three league titles—in 2012, 2014, and 2018.
Guardiola, who was hired in 2016, has led the most successful period in the club’s history, including winning the treble of the league, Champions League, and FA Cup in 2023. City has won the league title in six of the last seven years.
