Guardiola insists net spending is still lower than other clubs

In February 2023, the Premier League accused Manchester City of violating more than 100 financial rules, which Manchester City denied. Head coach Guardiola said the club expects to learn the results of the hearing on 115 charges within a month. According to Premier League regulations, penalties may include point deductions or even expulsion from the league.

At a press conference on Friday, Guardiola denied that the club spent £170 million in January in preparation for a possible future transfer ban. Manchester City made its first major signing in the winter transfer window since signing Aymeric Laporte in 2018, signing Omar Marmouche, Abdulkadir Husanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez for a total of £170 million.

Guardiola believes that Manchester City is biased because of the club's wealthy owners, and he stressed that the team's net spending is still lower than other clubs. He said: "In the past five years, we have had the lowest net spending among the top six teams. Even after the spending in this transfer window, we are still lower than Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Liverpool. We have sold a lot of players in the past few seasons, but I know that outsiders always think that this club is 'just rich'."

"Every club can do what they want," Guardiola said.

In February 2023, the Premier League accused Manchester City of breaking more than 100 financial rules between 2009 and 2018. Manchester City denied all the allegations. The hearing took place over 12 weeks between September and December, and a decision is expected in the spring, most likely in March. Both parties have the right to appeal, which could take months.