‘WE’RE OWED AN APOLOGY’

FROM BACK PAGE their opinions, Jose and Jurgen, but I tell them this was a good day for football.

“Jose and other managers should know that we were damaged and we should be apologised to. I said many times – if we did something wrong, we would accept the decision from UEFA and CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport).

“We don’t expect other clubs to defend us, but we have the right to defend ourselves, when we believe what we’ve done is correct – and three independent judges said this.

“People said we were cheating and lying many times and the presumption of innocence was not there.”

Eight Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Liverpool, contacted CAS in March to stop City delaying the appeal process so they could play in the Champions League next season.

City were never going to do that, their willingness to have their appeal heard as early as possible in June ultimately vindicated with the CAS judgement going in their favour.

Guardiola (celebrating the lifting of the ban on Monday, above) knows the move by the ‘gang of eight’ was a collective ganging up on City and could not resist a sarcastic swipe after the attempt failed.

He said: “I was completely with these eight clubs to go to CAS and make their resolution. The resolution is there, so they must be happy. So, next time, make phone calls to our chairman or CEO and say, ‘Guys, all of these clubs, we’re going to do it all together to try to get this kind of resolution’.”

Klopp said: “I’m happy that City can play in the Champions League because, if I think about the Premier League and City has 10-12 games less and can rest players, then I don’t see any chance for any other teams.

“I absolutely don’t wish anybody anything bad, but I don’t think it was a good day for football yesterday.

“I really hope FFP stays because it gives borders where you can go to but not over. If you start saying nobody has to care any more, then the richest people or countries can do whatever they want in football.

“I think that would lead automatically to kind of a world super league with 10 clubs.”

Tottenham manager Mourinho claimed football had been made to look like a “circus”.

City were fined £9million but he said: “If Manchester City is not guilty, to be punished by some millions is a disgrace. If you’re not guilty, you’re not punished. But, if you’re guilty, you should be banned. So it’s also a disgraceful decision. In any case, it’s a disaster.

“My criticism is not for Manchester City, I’m nobody to know if they’re guilty or not. My criticism is for the decision.

“I truly believe FFP is gone. So new owners, probably they will have this feeling of the circus opened the door, so let’s go and enjoy it.”