Pep Guardiola has pleaded Manchester City's innocence after the club were charged by the Premier League over alleged breaches of profit and sustainability regulations.
Over 100 charges were levelled at the current champions in an unprecedented move following a four-year investigation. The Premier League have accused the club of seriously misrepresenting their financial position as well as failing to cooperate with an investigation.
City responded with a club statement highlighting their 'surprise' at the charges by the Premier League, but that they will fight to clear their name.
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Guardiola was asked about the charges as he faced the press for the first time since Monday's announcement ahead of his side's clash with Aston Villa, and he provided a strong response.
"We are lucky we live in a marvellous country that have a society where everyone is innocent until proven guilty," Guardiola said. "We didn't have this opportunity. We are already sentenced.
"What's going to happen, I don't know. In the other side, personally, I'm happy that we are here because like UEFA happened we have the chance to defend our position. We have good lawyers but we cannot say UEFA had bad lawyers and the Premier League, supported by 19 teams, are going to take good lawyers.
"I would have loved to wait and see and time will dictate what will happen. Just in case we are not innocent, we will accept what the judge, the Premier League decide.
"But what happens if in the same situation that UEFA happened, we are innocent? What happens to restore our damage? Because the damage is for one decade."
Having declared his intentions to stay at the club regardless of any ramifications for City, Guardiola also gave his thoughts on whether the other clubs wanted to see them kicked out of the Premier League.
"It is difficult for me to answer this question. I don't know. They open a precedent right now. Be careful in the future because many clubs make suggestions and we have been accused.
"I can have an opinion, but what do fans think? I don't know. It is obvious the fans want to push us out of the competition. They believe we didn't behave properly."
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