Guardiola ‘trusts’ City dealings

Pep Guardiola “trusts” Manchester City as they again defended themselves from accusations of trying to cheat European football’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

Last week, German magazine Der Spiegel published a story which claimed the Premier League leaders struck a secret deal with Uefa in 2014 to avoid a potential Champions League ban for breaching FFP rules.

City, preparing for tonight’s home game with Shakhtar Donetsk, said at the time the original article was published that they would not be commenting and that the attempt to damage their reputation was “organised and clear”.

On Monday, Der Spiegel published a new article alleging City channelled millions of pounds of their owner Sheikh Mansour’s immense wealth into the club via their Abu Dhabibased sponsors.

LaLiga, the Spanish top flight, has said that if Uefa does not act, it will “launch a complaint with EU competition authorities”.

Manager Guardiola was asked about the claims at yesterday’s press conference and said: “The club has made a statement on Friday about what happened, stolen emails. Of course I trust the club, what they have done.

“Of course we want to follow the rules. Uefa, Fifa and the Premier League, they do what they have to do. Believe me, I don’t know what happened, I’m a manager, focused on the pitch, the locker room.”