The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
City could be punished – Pep
Boss fears worst outcome as club faces FFP allegations
Pep Guardiola accepts Manchester City could be punished if they are found to have broken regulations concerning European football’s Financial Fair Play rules.
The Premier League champions have been the subject of a series of allegations this week claiming that they found ways to circumvent Uefa rules.
City were punished for breaching FFP regulations in 2014 but German publication Der Spiegel, citing information unearthed by Football Leaks, have made fresh claims about that period.
Since the allegations started to be published, City have beaten Southampton 6-1 and Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 and Guardiola insists the negative headlines will not affect the players.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, City manager Guardiola said: “If they want to undermine what we have done then no problem. We live our lives, we live our process and it is always going to remain in our hearts the rest of our lives.
“After that the opinions are the opinions. Like I said, I trust the people at the club. I know the people. OK, if there’s something wrong we’ll be punished.
“At the end Uefa, Fifa, English federation has to say if we were wrong. If we were wrong (we) will accept it but I hear what my club said to me and I trust a lot of them.”
City have not formally commented on the claims beyond a statement last week which read: “We will not be providing any comment on out of context materials purportedly hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people.
“The attempt to damage the club’s reputation is organised and clear.”
Meanwhile Raheem Sterling has signed a new contract committing him to City until 2023.
The 23-year-old England forward has been rewarded for his excellent form with an improved package – reportedly worth up to £300,000 per week – that extends his previous deal by three years.
Sterling, who joined City from Liverpool in a deal worth a potential £49 million in 2015, was an integral member of last season’s Premier League title-winning side and has begun the new campaign in fine style.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to go toe-to-toe with “untouchable” City in this weekend’s eagerly-anticipated derby.
Guardiola’s Premier League leaders lie in wait at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow as United look to emerge from a daunting double-header with another memorable away win.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning volley was rendered meaningless on Wednesday as Mourinho oversaw a late 2-1 Champions League comeback win at Juventus – a side bracketed with City as among the Continent’s best.
Wednesday’s 6-0 defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk underlined the quality of tomorrow’s opposition, but life off the field is not as rosy as City face the aforementioned allegations over Financial Fair Play rules.
Asked if he felt United were operating on a fair playing field ahead of the derby, Mourinho said: “It’s difficult for me to answer because I focus on my job, I focus on the four lines.
“I focus on football. If you want to speak about their football potential, we can speak.
“And football potential starts with investment. After that, of course, there is a quality of the work and the quality of the organisation and I think that is untouchable. But what is behind, I cannot say.
“But, in this moment, I have only to think about football, and to think about football is just to think about Manchester City as a football team.”
United came from behind to win 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium in April and delay the City title party.
Liverpool have dismissed a report that suggested owner Fenway Sports Group is willing to sell the club.
A New York Post article claimed principal owner John W Henry is “privately entertaining offers in an informal process” for the Anfield side and has an asking price in excess of $2 billion.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are joint second in the Premier League, host Fulham tomorrow lunchtime.