It is now widely known that Manchester City’s hearing over 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules is set to begin on Monday. Lewis Browning reported for the Daily Mail that Monday is the day that the hearing will finally begin. It isn’t a moment too soon given the coverage of the charges laid against Manchester City since they were announced. Pep Guardiola was asked about the matter during his pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s clash with Brentford. He made several brilliant points on the matter along the way.
Pep Guardiola was asked about his thoughts about the date finally being set for the hearing to begin. He issued a short response to the question. Guardiola replied: “Start soon, and hopefully finish soon. The independent panel will decide and looking forward to the decision.”
The City manager was also asked if he had spoken to Manchester City’s hierarchy about the upcoming hearing. He added: “I’m not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country and in Spain, there are many lawyers. But I wait, we’re going to wait, and we’re going to see.”
READ MORE: Has the possibility that Manchester City could clear their name been considered?
Pep Guardiola was also asked if he had spoken to his players about Manchester City’s case. He said he has not as it doesn’t affect matters on the pitch. Guardiola said: “No. We’re not lawyers. Erling [Haaland] is not a lawyer, no. We didn’t talk about that. What’s going to happen, the independent panel, and we’re going to accept the sentence. I’m happy it’s starting on Monday. I know there will be more rumours, new specialists about the sentences. We’re going to see. I know what people are looking forward to, what they expect, I know, what I read for many years. Everybody is innocent until guilt is proven. So we’ll see.”
“I am not a lawyer… we are not lawyers… Erling is not a lawyer!” ⚖
Pep Guardiola’s stubborn response after being asked about the hearing beginning into Manchester City’s 115 alleged charges 🗣 pic.twitter.com/UwpJ8m0xmf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 13, 2024
Manchester City’s hearing is finally set to begin and perhaps the speculation surrounding City’s case can finally be put to bed one way or another.
Ever since the Premier League’s charges against Manchester City were announced the majority of the coverage of the case has presumed Manchester City’s guilt. That has been a common theme throughout the saga. But with the hearing finally set to get underway on Monday an end to the speculation surrounding the case is finally on the horizon.
The topic has been dominated by the opinions of so called ‘experts’ on the matter. Pep Guardiola made a point of mentioning this earlier today. That is likely to increase over the coming months as the case begins to reach a conclusion. But in the end only the opinion of the independent panel hosting the hearing will matter. That day can’t come soon enough so Pep Guardiola can instead face questions on matters on the pitch rather than off field matters like he was faced with earlier today. Perhaps with it the opinions of so called ‘experts’ will shift onto other matters once a verdict is found also.
Pep Guardiola dealt with the questions surrounding Manchester City’s upcoming hearing as only he can. He put his own spin on the topic and also calmly took his own shots at the endless parade of ‘experts’ on the matter. With the hearing finally set to get underway an ending is finally in sight on the entire affair. That can’t come soon enough so coverage of football can shift back to matters on the pitch.
