Pep Guardiola refuses to talk with Premier League following Manchester City charges

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that he is unwilling to open dialogue with the Premier League following the charges on his employers.

Around this time last month, the Premier League confirmed in an official statement that they had charged Manchester City with numerous breaches of financial rules, following a four-year investigation on the Etihad club.

In the days and weeks that have followed, Manchester City’s public stance on the charges has been one of strength and confidence, with the understanding from one figure in the club being that they “look forward to” clearing their name once again.

City Xtra reported last month that the early feeling following the release of the statement was ‘positive’ of a ‘good outcome’, with officials ‘confident’ of successfully overcoming the alleged financial breaches.

Manchester City’s supporters have made their feelings known on matchdays, continuously boo’ing and heckling the Premier League’s official anthem, and this dismissal of the division appears to be a feeling shared by manager Pep Guardiola.

Speaking on the subject of opposition teams not being punished for time-wasting against Manchester City, Pep Guardiola was further pressed on whether this was an issue he had raised with the Premier League directly.

He responded, “No, I don’t talk with the Premier League. We are accused by them. No (conversation with the ) referees, no Premier League. No cares. Newcastle.”

But does Pep Guardiola feel Manchester City are being treated unfairly when compared to decisions being made in favour and on other Premier League matches.

This is a notion that the Catalan coach denies, as he continued, “No, no (Manchester City are not treated unfairly). In this action (time-wasting), yes. How many times after the press conference (am I) complaining about the referees, or make a point of that. The game is the game, when it’s out (it’s out).”

“I don’t even know before the game who is the referee that’s going to whistle. I know when I see their face there, then I know who they are. But I don’t talk with them, before or after.”

In one final message towards the top-flight and their ongoing situation involving Manchester City, Pep Guardiola closed, “Now we cannot, I cannot talk about these Premier League’s or whatever, because we are busy defending with our lawyers, our defence. So I don’t have time to spend time with that.”

Pep Guardiola will look to coach his team back to within two points of their Premier League rivals Arsenal this weekend, as Manchester City take on Newcastle United in the early kick-off on Saturday lunchtime.

The Gunners moved five points clear in midweek courtesy of a 4-0 win over Everton – their game in hand on the Premier League champions – and they return to action with a home game against Bournemouth, also on Saturday afternoon.