Pep Guardiola took to social media to voice his unwavering support for Manchester City’s players, staff, supporters and owners, writing: "We will get through this together. I love you all." The message came 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 had entered into what it described as "sham" contracts with a range of commercial partners. These arrangements were part of a so‑called "disguised funding scheme" that artificially boosted the club’s reported revenue by roughly £830 million.
The findings represent the most severe financial ruling in the league’s recent 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 announced its intention to appeal. Under Premier League rules, the appeal must be lodged by Friday, 2 October, and the hearing can last a maximum of five days. Once the hearing concludes, the board has thirty days to issue a final decision.
Guardiola, who managed the club from 2016 until 2026, used his platform to reassure fans worldwide. 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 the Premier League’s procedural timetable dictates that any appeal must be resolved within twelve weeks of filing. If the club’s legal team succeeds, the sanctions could be reduced or even overturned; if not, the penalties could include fines, points deductions, and the possible removal of titles won during the period in question. The broader football community has also weighed in. Jurgen Klopp, whose Liverpool side missed out on the Premier League crown to Guardiola’s City by a single point in both the 2018/19 and 2021/22 campaigns, responded to a 2024 interview question about the prospect of City being stripped of its trophies.
Initially, Klopp joked, "If you organise a bus parade, I am in! How long it takes, I don't care how long it takes!" He later adopted a more measured tone when asked about the independent commission’s findings at a press conference before Germany’s Nations League match against Serbia. Klopp admitted he had not given the matter much thought but acknowledged the seriousness of the situation: "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 happen." He went on to praise Guardiola and the quality of football City displayed during their head‑to‑head clashes, describing the standard as "far too high" and the opposition as "far too big". Klopp added that any sanctions would be beyond his control and that he would simply wait for the legal process to run its course.
"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," he said. As the football world digested the verdict, Manchester City released an official statement on Tuesday expressing disappointment and surprise at the commission’s opinion. The club asserted its innocence, claiming there is "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" supporting its position. It pledged to be "relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums" and to pursue every appeal avenue, arguing that the commission’s opinion contains "clear material errors of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe".
The statement also highlighted the club’s respect for due process over the past eight years, noting that it expected the Premier League board and executives to act as an independent, impartial regulator free from partisan influence. However, the club acknowledged that further public comment would be limited until all proceedings are concluded.
It is worth noting that the club’s statement mistakenly referred to the body as a "Premier League commission"; in fact, it is an independent commission appointed to investigate the financial allegations. The fallout from the ruling has sparked a broader conversation about financial fair play, transparency and the governance of elite football clubs. Critics argue that the Premier League must enforce stricter oversight to prevent similar schemes, while supporters of City contend that the club’s success on the field should not be undone by bureaucratic technicalities.
Regardless of the final outcome, the appeal process is set to be closely watched by fans, pundits and rival clubs alike. The decision will not only affect Manchester City’s trophy cabinet but could also set a precedent for how financial misconduct is addressed in the future.
In the meantime, Guardiola’s heartfelt message serves as a reminder that, for many, football remains a community bound by loyalty, passion and the belief that, together, they can weather any storm.