The Albany Gazette - Guardiola pledges loyalty to Man City despite financial charges

City could face points deductions or even relegation from the English top flight if they are found guilty of the alleged breaches, between 2009/10 and 2017/18, by an independent commission.

Guardiola has previously said he would walk away if he found he had been lied to by the City hierarchy over allegations that they broke financial fair play (FFP) rules.

However, the City boss, who has won four Premier League titles in the past five years, said he believed the latest case would end in the same manner as a previous UEFA charge.

City were banned for two years from UEFA competitions in February 2020 by European football's governing body for "serious financial fair play breaches", but the sanction was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later that year.

"My first thought is that we have already been condemned," Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of Sunday's clash with Aston Villa.

"What happened is the same that happened with UEFA. We had already accusations and now we are charged. The club proved they were innocent (from UEFA charges)."

Guardiola recently extended his contract at the Etihad until 2025.

His seven-year stay in Manchester is already the longest of his managerial career.

"I'm not moving from this seat. I can assure you more than ever I want to stay," he said. "Sometimes I have doubts because seven or eight years is a long time but now I don't want to move on.

"People say 'they lied to you'. They didn't lie to me. Look what happened at UEFA.

"Now it is the same case. Why should I not trust my people and trust the other CEOs of the other clubs?"

(O.Joost--BBZ)