Rivals are urged to meet ‘face to face’
claimed. “Jose and all the managers should know we were damaged and that we should be apologised to.
“If we broke the financial fair play rules, we would have been banned. But the club believed we were right and the three judges [on the Cas panel] gave us the reasons that we had done things properly.
“The people say that we cheated and were lying many, many times and the presumption of innocence was not there. But now it showed we were right.”
Ferran Soriano, the City chief executive, has claimed previously that Uefa’s investigation “seems to be less about justice and more about politics”.
But while Guardiola could understand the upset that fifth place would no longer secure Champions League qualification this season, he warned the club’s Premier League rivals to confront them directly if they had a problem after raging at the letter sent to Cas.
“It would be nice but I don’t think so,” Guardiola said, when asked if he expected opinions to change. “What happened in the last years, how many times people came to our club with this whispering on us. I’d love it to finish. I’d like to say to these kind of people, ‘OK, look in our eyes and if you want to say something, say it face to face, and then go on the pitch and play as rivals’. Guys, accept it.
“If you do not agree, knock on the door of our chairman and chief executive and talk – don’t go behind, whispering, seven, eight clubs. Go and do it on the pitch, not behind.
“We were damaged – our prestige and reputation. But the accusations, we showed now were not true.”
Mourinho said the Cas decision was “a disgrace” and that City should have faced no fine if they were innocent. City were fined £9 million for obstructing Uefa’s investigation. “If you’re not guilty, you’re not punished. In the other way, if you’re guilty you should be banned. So it’s also a disgraceful decision. In any case, it’s a disaster,” the Tottenham head coach said.
Mourinho also believes the verdict could leave the richest clubs free to take advantage of what he feels is the end of FFP, and that Newcastle United could be one of the first beneficiaries if their Saudi takeover is approved.
“I believe next season, with no FFP, maybe a new owner goes there and spends lots of money, giving
Steve Bruce even better conditions,” he said. “I truly believe FFP is gone. So new owners, probably they will have this feeling of the circus opening the door so let’s go and enjoy it.”
Klopp also raised fears about the decision, saying: “From a personal point of view, I’m happy City can play in the Champions League next year, because if I think about the league and City has 10-12 games less and can rest players, I don’t see any chance for any other teams.
“But I don’t think it was a good day for football. If you start doing that nobody has to care any more at all, then the richest people or countries can do whatever they want.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola said of Tebas: “He’s another one, this guy – Senor Tebas must be so jealous of the Premier League and English football.”