February 20 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hit back at the president of his former club Barcelona over supporting UEFA’s two-year European ban imposed on the English champions.
City are appealing against UEFA’s sanction for alleged “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu commented: “I would like to thank UEFA regarding FFP, they’ve been doing fantastic work in the last couple of years. We have regular investigations and we have supported UEFA in everything it does in football.”
Asked about those comments following City’s 2-0 league win over West Ham United on, Guardiola, a Barca title winner as player and coach, said: “If they are happy we are suspended, I say to the president of Barcelona, let us appeal.
“The people [at City] right now trust what they have done so that is what we are going to do. We’re going to appeal and maybe it happens, but don’t talk too loud, Barcelona.
“That is my advice because everybody is involved sometimes in situations. We are going to appeal and hopefully in the future we can play in the Champions League against Barcelona.”
As well as contesting the ban, City are also appealing against the €30 million fine that came with it, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with Guardiola saying he believes the “truth will prevail” and the sanctions will be overturned.
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