Manager Denies Manchester Citys January Transfer Spending Fears

Manchester Citys January spending was not a precautionary measure for a future transfer embargo, manager Pep Guardiola said, adding the club would learn the verdict of a hearing into their alleged violations of Premier League regulations in one month.

Reigning Premier League champions City, who spent over 224 million in the January window to sign Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah, were charged with 115 violations of financial regulations in 2023.

An independent commission held a hearing from September 16 to December 6 into the charges, which cover a period starting from 2009 and continuing into the 2022-23 season. City has always denied any wrongdoing.

If City are found guilty of some or all of the charges they could face penalties or huge fines, points deductions, transfer bans, being stripped of their titles or even being demoted from the Premier League.

Asked if Citys recent spending was done to mitigate the effects of a possible transfer ban, Guardiola told reporters on Friday: I do not agree, but my words will not convince people that our attributes are not just being in a wealthy position.