Askume MANCHESTER, UK, Sept 13 – Manchester City’s trial over 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules is set to begin on Monday, with head coach Pep Guardiola saying he is awaiting the decision of an independent committee.
The hearing is likely to last around two months, with a verdict expected at the end of the season. The hearing begins with six matches in three games over two weeks, with the four-time defending league champions facing Brentford on Saturday.
“It will start very soon and then (hopefully) it will end very quickly. An independent panel will decide and I am waiting for the decision,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
He said there was no discussion among his players about the potential impact of the hearing.
“I’m not a lawyer. (Forward) Erling (Haaland) is not a lawyer,” Guardiola said, adding that the city government would accept the verdict. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”
Since the 2009–10 campaign, the city has been accused of violating rules related to providing accurate financial records.
The club was also accused of failing to comply with UEFA’s financial fair play rules between 2013–14 and 2017–18, and profitability and sustainability rules between 2015–16 and 2017–18.
If found guilty, Manchester City could face penalties such as a points deduction or demotion. Everton and Nottingham Forest were docked points for breaching the rules last season.
AK is absent
Guardiola will be without injured Dutch defender Nathan Ake for the next few weeks, while Haaland is likely to miss Saturday’s game at the Etihad Stadium on compassionate grounds as Manchester City look to build on their 100% league record against the Bees.
Ake was carried off on a stretcher with a hamstring injury during the Netherlands’ 2-2 home draw with Germany on Tuesday .
“We’ve been unfortunate with Nathan – every time he’s gone there (to Holland) he’s been injured,” Guardiola said, adding that the 29-year-old would be out until the middle of the next international break.
Haaland, who leads the league with seven goals, is mourning the death of a close family friend.
“It’s a difficult moment for him and his family,” Guardiola said. “It’s sad and we’ll see on Saturday whether he’s mentally or physically able to play.”
Guardiola said midfielders Phil Foden and Rodri returned to training this week and “looked very good” after Foden missed the international break through illness and Rodri also missed the Spanish national team through injury.
Asked about the congested schedule of upcoming games, Guardiola said his players are not used to this situation.
“There are times when the team plays all the games,” he said. “No matter what, we’re going to do our job because we like to do it. I’m not an expert on the schedule. We just follow it. Everyone knows the schedule is going to be tough this season, so you have to accept it.”
Manchester City and Liverpool are the only two teams to have won all three Premier League games this season. Brentford are currently sixth, three points behind with two wins and a loss.
