Guardiola Hits Back at Ceferin over City’s Financial Fair Play Case

Pep Guardiola has responded to Aleksander Ceferin’s recent comments regarding Manchester City’s financial fair play case, telling the UEFA president to respect the club’s right to defend itself.

In 2020, City was handed a two-year ban from European competition and a €30 million fine for allegedly inflating sponsorship revenues. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned the ban and reduced the fine to €10 million.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Ceferin stated that UEFA was justified in their decision and that they knew they were right. He refrained from commenting on City’s ongoing Premier League case but acknowledged the frustration of Everton and Nottingham Forest fans over the prolonged proceedings.

Guardiola, on the other hand, urged Ceferin to respect the process and wait for the outcome of the case. He reminded him that as a lawyer, he should understand the club’s right to defend itself and focus on his duties at UEFA.

Guardiola also provided an update on Erling Haaland‘s injury, revealing that the striker would not be ready to return for the FA Cup game against Tottenham. Haaland, who has been out with a foot problem, has been training but has not fully recovered to make a comeback. However, John Stones, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, will be available for the match.

Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips is set to complete his loan move to West Ham after spending 18 months at Manchester City with limited playing time. Guardiola expressed his appreciation for Phillips as both a player and an exceptional human being and wished him well in his new club.

Manchester City has also announced the signing of Claudio Echeverri from River Plate. The Argentinian teenager joins the club on a deal until 2028, but will remain on loan at River until January next year.