Man City innocent until proven guilty, says Pep Guardiola

LONDON – Pep Guardiola insisted that Manchester City are “innocent until proven guilty”, as a long-awaited hearing into 115 financial charges levelled against the club is set to begin on Sept 16 with potentially huge ramifications for the English Premier League champions.

Sky Sports reported on Sept 12 that the independent commission in charge of the case will begin next week.

Speaking ahead of the home clash against Brentford on Sept 14, when City hope to win their fourth straight game this season, Guardiola said: “It starts soon and then finishes soon. An independent panel will decide and I am looking forward to the decision.”

When asked if the issue has affected the team, or whether he and his players have spoken about it, he added: “I am not a lawyer. Erling (Haaland) is not a lawyer, so no. There are many lawyers in this country and in Spain, but I will wait and see.

“We will accept the sentence (if there is one). I know there will be more rumours and more about the (possible) sentences but we will see. I know what people are expecting as it’s what I’ve read for many years. But everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”

City stand accused of 80 breaches of financial rules between 2009 and 2018, plus a further 35 of failing to cooperate with a Premier League investigation.

The English top flight brought the charges in February 2023 but there has been a lengthy wait for the case to proceed before an independent commission.

If found guilty on some or all of the charges, City face a severe points deduction and possibly even expulsion from the Premier League. The hearing is set to last at least two months, with a verdict not expected until 2025.

While City have all these issues to distract them, Brentford boss Thomas Frank was fully focused on the match and he believes that Haaland’s anticipation and movement make the City forward almost impossible to stop.

The Norwegian striker has been the Premier League’s top scorer for the last two seasons and he has already netted seven goals in three matches this season, including two hat-tricks.

“Close to impossible,” Frank said when asked how he would contain the threat of the 24-year-old, who has 70 goals in 69 Premier League appearances.

“A lot of teams have tried to neutralise him but his movement in the box is probably some of the best we’ve ever seen.

“The way he anticipates and is constantly on the move and focused and aware of where to position himself, that’s top level... He’s a decent player in the best team in the world.”

Haaland scored the winner in the corresponding fixture last season and had an assist for one of Phil Foden’s three goals at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.

Frank added that Brentford, who have six points from their first three games, could still get something from the league leaders this weekend.

“We know if we hit a good level, we can make it difficult for them,” he said. AFP, REUTERS