Pep Guardiola says Manchester City's Premier League rivals want to see them punished over their alleged financial doping.
City's hearing into up to 130 charges of alleged financial impropriety begins on Monday, with Guardiola convinced the other 19 Premier League teams want to see the champions found guilty.
La Liga President Javier Tebas claimed he has spoken privately with several Premier League clubs, who confided to him their desire to see City face sanctions for their alleged financial impropriety. Guardiola was asked about the comments made by Tebas – who has been hugely critical of City and their spending model in recent years – and said he agreed with him over the perceived stance of their rivals.
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“Maybe he's right and all the Premier League teams want this,” said Guardiola. “I agree with Tebas for the first time and maybe the last. That's why I say to Mr Tebas and to the Premier League teams - wait for the independent panel.
“I know what people are looking for, I know what they're expecting, because I've known it for many, many years, but I've said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven. Justice is there in a modern democracy so wait for the decision. It's not more complicated than that.
“I don't know if he's a lawyer or the rest of the Premier League teams are lawyers, but we had this with UEFA many times. We go to an independent panel and we wait. I'm not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country, but I wait. We're going to wait and see.
“What is going to happen is with the independent panel and we will accept the sentence. I'm happy it starts on Monday. There will be more rumours and we're going to see.
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“It starts soon and hopefully finishes soon. An independent panel will decide. I'm looking forward to the decision.”
The charges City are facing span a nine-year period from 2009 to 2018, with potential punishments if they are found guilty ranging from relegation, to points deductions and fines.
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