Pep Guardiola has reaffirmed his support for Manchester City after an independent commission found the club guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules.
Guardiola said he remained behind City's owner, chairman, Ferran, the players, staff and supporters, adding that the club would “get through this together”. His comments came after the Premier League published a redacted summary of the commission's findings.
What The Manchester City Verdict Established
The commission found that Manchester City breached financial regulations over nine seasons, covering the period from 2009/10 to 2017/18. According to the Premier League, the club used commercial arrangements that did not accurately reflect the amounts paid by sponsors.
The league said some agreements were presented at inflated values, with the remaining amounts funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd, the club's owner.
The Premier League said those arrangements artificially inflated City's reported revenue and reduced its recorded costs by more than £900 million.
The commission also found that the club submitted inaccurate accounts and concealed the true state of its finances from auditors and regulators. The official statement did not use the phrase “114 of 115 charges”. The Athletic first reported that figure.
Citing sources briefed on the case, and several other outlets later repeated it.
The Premier League instead said City was found guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches and three of four charges concerning its alleged failure to cooperate with the investigation.
The commission concluded that City had “clearly intended to circumvent the PL Rules”, according to the Premier League’s published summary.
Guardiola’s Message To City Supporters
Guardiola wrote: “I want every single (Man City) fan 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, and you, our unique supporters.”
“Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”
Guardiola's message expressed his support for Manchester City and its supporters. It did not set out a legal response to the commission's findings or indicate whether he agreed with every part of the verdict.
Guardiola had previously said he would accept the independent panel's decision. At a press conference in September 2024, he said: “Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. An independent panel will decide, and I’m looking forward to the decision.”
Appeal and Sanctions Remain Unresolved
Manchester City has been found guilty of all charges relating to serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules, according to the league's statement published on 29 September 2026. The club has the right to appeal the commission's findings and has until 2 October to do so.
The club has continued to deny wrongdoing and maintains the position set out in its February 2023 response to the charges. No punishment has been imposed yet. A separate commission hearing will determine any sanctions, but no date has been announced.
Possible measures under the Premier League’s rules include a fine, points deduction, or other sporting sanctions.
Reports have also discussed more severe outcomes, but relegation, expulsion, title stripping, and points deductions must not be presented as confirmed consequences.
The Premier League investigation began in December 2018, while the formal complaint was issued in February 2023.
The independent commission held a 42-day hearing that concluded in December 2024. The league said the case involved around 7,000 pages of witness and expert evidence transcripts.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described the case as “the most significant in Premier League history”. The club’s appeal and the separate sanctions process are the next confirmed stages in the case.
