Pep Guardiola reveals Man City's 115 charges outcome as transfer embargo suggestion shut down
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has revealed he expects the club to learn the outcome of the hearing into its 115 charges of alleged Premier League financial rule breaches 'in one month'.
Guardiola has also moved to dismiss suggestions that City's January spending spree was a pre-emptive strike against a possible future transfer embargo. City made their first serious moves in a winter transfer window since signing Aymeric Laporte in 2018 as they splashed out £170million on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez before Monday's deadline.
The Premier League referred City to an independent commission in February 2023 over 115 alleged contraventions of financial rules dating from 2009 to 2018. The Etihad club have always denied any wrongdoing.
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The hearing took place in front of an independent commission between September and December. And Guardiola has revealed a verdict could be on the horizon.
He said: "In one month, I think there will be a verdict and a sentence. After that, we will see my opinion of what happened so far."
A transfer embargo is one of a number of sanctions they could face if found guilty, while relegation has also been suggested. Addressing his side’s spending in the winter window, Guardiola said: "I do not agree, but my words will not convince people that our attributes are (not) just being in a wealthy position.
"In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net-spend. Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Arsenal, Tottenham, even from Liverpool.
"The reason why is we have sold a lot in the last seasons but, even with that, I know (people say about) this club, it is always 'just about the money'.
"Respect the other ones but in one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want."
