Pep Guardiola has taken to social media to rally behind Manchester City’s players, staff, supporters and owners, posting a heartfelt message that read: "We will get through this together. I love you all." The statement comes at a turbulent time for the club, which has been found guilty of multiple serious breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations by an independent commission. The commission’s investigation concluded that, between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 seasons, Manchester City orchestrated a series of sham contracts with several commercial partners.
These arrangements were part of what the investigators described as a "disguised funding scheme" designed to artificially boost the club’s reported revenue by roughly £830 million. The findings represent the most substantial financial misconduct case in English football history. City’s hierarchy has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Chief executive Ferran Soriano dismissed the verdict as a "Premier League conspiracy theory" in a video addressed to players and staff, and the club has confirmed that it will lodge an appeal.
Under Premier League rules, the appeal must be filed by Friday, 2 October, and any hearing can last a maximum of five days. Once the hearing concludes, the board has thirty days to issue its final decision. Guardiola, who managed City from 2016 until 2026, used his platform to reassure the global fanbase. He wrote: "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.
I am, always have been, always will be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all." The timing of the appeal is crucial because Premier League regulations stipulate that any appeal must be resolved within twelve weeks of filing. If the club proceeds, the legal process could stretch well into the next season, potentially affecting player transfers, sponsorship deals, and the club’s on‑field performance.
The broader football community has also weighed in. Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side missed out on the Premier League title to Guardiola’s City by a single point in both the 2018/19 and 2021/22 campaigns, was asked in 2024 about the prospect of City being stripped of its trophies.
Klopp’s initial reaction was light‑hearted: "If you organise a bus parade, I am in! How long it takes, I don’t care how long it takes!" However, when pressed about the independent commission’s findings, his tone grew more measured. At a press conference before Germany’s Nations League match against Serbia, Klopp said, "I really haven’t given it much thought, but of course I’ve noticed it.
I also remember what I said: ‘If there’s ever a victory parade, I’ll be there.’ It doesn’t feel like that anymore. It’s not that I feel I have to have a bus parade. I can just sit back and wait for it to happen." Klopp continued, expressing respect for Guardiola and the style of football City displayed during their head‑to‑head battles. "The sort of football they put on the pitch, the sort of opponents they were for us – it was far too big.
The standard is far too high," he said. Regarding any potential sanctions, Klopp added, "If any sanctions are imposed, I’ve got nothing to do with it.
And that’s why I’m waiting to see what happens. The legal proceedings have been going on for a long time; I assume there will be an appeal, which will take ages.
I’m a long way from preparing myself for it in any way, and I’ve got absolutely no sense of it." He concluded with a personal note on his own achievements: "I don’t need to be Premier League champions a few more times. I’m completely happy with what we’ve achieved. We battled it out on the pitch, and I can’t say anything about the rest because I don’t know exactly what it’s all about.
To be honest, I’m not interested either." As the football world continues to digest the verdict, the independent commission also remarked that it was "regrettable" the decision took so long, noting that the hearing spanned from September to December 2024. The delay, they suggested, added to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future. Manchester City released an official statement on Tuesday, describing itself as "both disappointed and surprised" by the commission’s opinion.
The club asserted its innocence, claiming to possess a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" supporting its position. It pledged to be "relentless and, where necessary, proactive" in all appropriate regulatory and legal forums. The statement emphasized that the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still unresolved, and that the club will pursue every appeal avenue, arguing that the opinion contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact, rendering it unsafe. The club also highlighted its respect for due process over the past eight years, expressing confidence that the Premier League board and executives would act as an "independent, impartial and fair‑minded regulator" free from partisan influence.
However, the statement noted that further public comments would be limited until all proceedings are concluded. It is worth noting that the club’s statement mistakenly referred to a "Premier League commission" when, in fact, the investigation was conducted by an independent commission appointed to examine the financial allegations. The situation remains fluid, with the appeal deadline looming and the football community watching closely. Whether the sanctions, if any, will affect City’s recent titles, its financial standing, or its reputation remains to be seen.
In the meantime, Guardiola’s message of unity and support underscores the solidarity within the club as it prepares to navigate the legal challenges ahead.