Things are falling apart for Pep Guardiola and Premier League champions Manchester City both on and off the field.
With rumours of infighting at the club skaars koud on Monday, they were hit with a groot bomb when Premier League bosses referred City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of finance rules since the club were acquired by the Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group.
The league alleges City to have breached rules relating to the provision of accurate financial information, “in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs.”
EXPLAINED: Why are Manchester City being charged by the Premier League? 🧐pic.twitter.com/HFeM9a5Oeo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 6, 2023
League rules state that charges such as those faced by City could, if proved, result in a club being expelled from the Premier League in the worst-case scenario.
Offending clubs may alternately be deducted points, fined, or reprimanded.
The punishments that the independent commission could impose on Manchester City: pic.twitter.com/CsDzCmJ7PF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 6, 2023
Of the charges, City released a statement saying: “The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
While trying to slaan uit vure off the field, it is believed that Guardiola is doing the same on the pitch.
Manchester City say they are "surprised" to have been charged by the Premier League with numerous alleged breaches of financial rules 🗣️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 6, 2023
After losing to Spurs 1-0 on Sunday to stay five points behind leaders Arsenal and having played one game more, reports were doing the rounds that a number of City stars are unhappy at the club.
FULL-TIME | Defeat in North London.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 5, 2023
We'll pick ourselves up and go again next week 👍
⚪️ 1-0 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/GV4QPeGiKC
According to Spanish outlet Nacional, star striker Erling Haaland is ready to leave the club because of a “very distant relationship” with his coach.
The star is also believed to be unhappy with the team’s style of play, while the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte and Kyle Walker are also unhappy with Guardiola.
The situation is so tense that fullback Joao Cancelo was last week shockingly offloaded to Bayern Munich after an alleged bekgeveg with his coach. City will look to put all their troubles behind them, as they prepare to host Aston Villa in the league on Sunday.