MX23RW : Tuesday, March 12 05:03:23

Guardiola wants UEFA investigation to be resolved quickly

Guardiola wants UEFA investigation to be resolved quickly
© Reuters
Manchester City are being investigated over alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play regulations.

Pep Guardiola has urged UEFA not to drag out its investigation into alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules by Manchester City.

The European governing body announced on Thursday it had launched a probe following a series of fresh allegations about the Premier League champions in the media.

The claims include allegations that some of City's sponsorship deals were artificially inflated and that the club were deceitful in their accounting procedures.

City have denied the claims and manager Guardiola expressed his confidence in the club when questioned about the matter at his latest press conference.

Guardiola said: "I think the club made their statement yesterday, I can't add more than that.

"The club is open, so hopefully it can finish as soon as possible and UEFA can decide what it sees.

"I said last season I trust a lot what the club has done because I know them. Hopefully they can solve it as soon as possible."

Asked further if he was concerned the matter could taint his legacy at the club, Guardiola said: "No, absolutely not."

Guardiola was speaking to media ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday.

Manchester City can extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Watford this weekend
Manchester City can extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Watford on Saturday (Martin Rickett/PA)

Victory would take City four points clear at the top of the table ahead of rivals Liverpool's encounter with Burnley on Sunday.

City regained the initiative in the title race as Liverpool were held to a draw by Everton last weekend. Guardiola, however, is not yet looking beyond what he expects to be a tough game against Javier Gracia's side this weekend.

He said: "It's incredible what he's done. It is one of the toughest games we have in the last nine games.

Javi Gracia's Watford could climb up to seventh if results go their way this weekend
Javi Gracia's Watford could climb up to seventh if results go their way this weekend (Nick Potts/PA)

"They have physicality, quality one on one, they are strong in the air, well organised. This season they have achieved a lot of points, they have done incredibly well.

"It's the last game before 21 days without the Premier League, before the international break. Everything is closer in terms of fewer games left.

"At home it's massively important for us to take our points."


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Ben Chilwell in action for Leicester City on August 18, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City30242479215874
2Liverpool30227168175173
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs30201957322561
4Arsenal30186663392460
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd30177658401858
6Chelsea29176650311957
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves30128103836244
8Watford30127114244-243
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham30116133743-639
10Leicester CityLeicester30115143842-438
11Everton30107134142-137
12Bournemouth30114154154-1337
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3097142938-934
14Crystal Palace3096153641-533
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2996143242-1033
16Southampton3079143450-1630
17Burnley3086163457-2330
18Cardiff CityCardiff3084182757-3028
19Fulham3045212868-4017
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3035221553-3814

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