Pep Guardiola has insisted he's 'fully convinced' Manchester City will be proven innocent of alleged financial rule breaches. The club released a statement on Monday to confirm that they've been charged by the Premier League over such across nine seasons (2009/10 to 2017/18).
City were subject to an investigation which took four years to complete. For now, it remains to be seen whether any of these breaches for the period aforementioned will be upheld by the commission or if any punishment will follow.
Speaking to the press ahead of City's clash with Aston Villa, Guardiola defended the club, claiming that they've already been 'condemned'. He said: "The club proved they were completely innocent.
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"What's happened since Monday is the same as what happened with Uefa. We have already been condemned. You have to understand that 19 teams in the Premier League are accusing us without us having the ability to defend.
"I am fully convinced we will be innocent," Guardiola added. "We are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We didn't have this opportunity, we are already sentenced.
"What is going to happen I don't know. Personally I am happy we are here as like Uefa we have the chance to defend [ourselves]. We have a good lawyer, not that Uefa had bad lawyers. And I think the Premier League, supported by 19 teams, are going to take good lawyers too to defend their position.
"I would have loved to wait and see to find out what happens but just in case we are not innocent we will accept what the judge and the Premier League decides. But if the same situation with Uefa happens and we are innocent, what happens to restore or pay back our damage?"
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