Man City manager Pep Guardiola calls out Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in press conference
Pep Guardiola has criticized Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, suggesting that the 61-year-old was one of the primary forces behind the Premier League’s decision to charge his club with multiple financial rule violations.
The Spaniard spoke for the first time since the charges were announced on Monday and defended the Sky Blues with passion.
The Premier League has referred City to an independent commission after the club was charged with violating 115 financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
The club has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and will vigorously defend itself against the accusations while the commission investigates.
If found guilty, Manchester City could face sanctions ranging from fines to point deductions to expulsion from the Premier League.
Guardiola had his first opportunity to speak publicly about the developments during Sunday’s press conference against Aston Villa. He did not hold back, calling out Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the other 19 Premier League clubs.
When asked if he believed the charges were driven by their English rivals, Guardiola said: “Go to the chairman, CEOs, Daniel Levy, ask them.
“These 19 Premier League have set a precedent. What they [rival PL clubs] have done to us, be careful with that. Be careful in the future. Many clubs can make suggestions and there are a lot of clubs that can be accused, like we have been accused.”
Guardiola argued that City had already been ‘condemned’ by their rivals and the media, and he questioned why the club was facing a second investigation following a previous UEFA investigation.
After appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Sky Blues’ two-year ban from the Champions League was reduced to a £9m fine.
“My first thought is already that we have been condemned,” he said. “What has happened after Monday is the same as happened with UEFA. We were condemned. We have just a charge.
“Why should when they told me before they defend the accusation from Uefa, the club proved we were completely innocent, why should now be condemned? 19 teams of the PL are accusing us without the chance to defend and the words of my chairman my CEO my owner explain everything, you know what side I am on.”
It is unknown how long the commission’s investigation will last, as no timeline has been established; however, it is likely to take many months, if not years, to reach a conclusion, and the saga is unlikely to be resolved in the near future.
Man City manager Pep Guardiola calls out Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in press conference
