Guardiola posts show of support after Manchester City guilty verdicts

WHAT HAPPENED
Pep Guardiola has posted public words of solidarity in response to Manchester City being found guilty of deliberate financial rule‑breaking over a nine‑year period. The former manager left the club in the summer but remains employed by owners City Football Group as a global ambassador.

WHAT HE HAS SAID
Guardiola has previously defended the club and his own integrity in media appearances while in charge. After the 2019 FA Cup final he rejected suggestions that he had received undeclared payments, saying: "I listen to my chairman and my CEO, and I trust them. They tell me we are fair and we absolutely follow the rules. I believe them." He also responded to UEFA's earlier sanctions by stating: "We appeal. When someone believes they are right, they have to fight. The club has to fight and I trust the club 100% what they have done and they have explained to me."

KEY CONTEXT
Guardiola joined City in 2016, which falls within the 2009–18 period the charges relate to. During his time in Manchester he spoke publicly on several political issues, including Catalan independence and Israel's military offensive in Gaza; the source notes he did not address questions about human rights in the United Arab Emirates or the UAE's alleged role in Sudan, and that the UAE has strongly rejected those allegations.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
City are appealing against the guilty verdicts. Guardiola is expected to attend Manchester City's next home Champions League fixture against Paris St‑Germain, the club's first home match since the verdicts were announced.