Guardiola expresses satisfaction with the imminence of Manchester City's upcoming hearing.
The sports club was indicted in February 2023 following a four-year probe, with the Premier League claiming that the team neglected to offer authentic financial records between the 2009-10 season and the 2017-18 season.
The league further alleges that the club disregarded UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations between 2013-14 and 2017-18, and failed to adhere to the Premier League's profit and sustainability guidelines between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
If found guilty, the team could be liable for a points deduction, an unlimited fine, or even expulsion from the league, according to the Premier League’s rulebook.
Reports suggest that the trial is set to commence on Monday and is anticipated to last approximately 10 weeks.
"I'm glad it begins on Monday," Guardiola expressed at a press conference preceding the team's match against Brentford on Saturday. "I'm aware that new rumors and so-called specialists regarding the sentences will emerge. We'll see. I'm aware of what people anticipate."
"Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty," he added. "An independent panel will render a decision, and I'm looking forward to the verdict."
The Premier League has faced criticism for the delay in initiating the trial. In May 2023, Guardiola expressed, "What I would prefer is for the Premier League or the judges to make a decision as soon as possible. Then, if we erred, everyone will be aware of it."
"I hope they aren't overwhelmed and the judges can review both sides and... render a decision that is fair, because at the end of the day, I know quite well that we won what we won on the pitch because we deserved it," he continued.
City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also expressed frustration with the wait. "That's highly frustrating because it eliminates a great deal of the exceptional work being performed within this club, and it happens not just on the soccer field," he stated in June 2023 after the club achieved a historic treble.
Neither City nor the Premier League has commented on the trial when contacted by CNN. Last month, Premier League CEO Richard Masters told the BBC that it is "imperative that the situation is resolved," adding that "it's self-evident that the case needs to be heard."
In 2020, City faced an initial two-season ban from European soccer for "grave violations" of FFP regulations. The ban was later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which also decreased the accompanying $34 million fine to $11.3 million, ruling that City had failed to cooperate with UEFA.
The trial over the more than 100 alleged charges is not the only conflict between City and the Premier League. The Times reported that City initiated legal action in June 2024 over the league’s Associated Party Transaction rules, which require commercial and sponsorship deals involving companies owned by or associated with the same club's owners to be assessed independently by the league.
CNN’s Aleks Klosok and Amanda Davies contributed to reporting.
The sports club's alleged violation of financial regulations in multiple football seasons has led to severe accusations, including neglection of Premier League guidelines and disregard for UEFA's FFP regulations.
Despite the ongoing investigation into their football club, Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola remains focused on the team's performances on the pitch, emphasizing fairness and respect for the legal process.
