"I want every single Manchester City fan to know that I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will be, behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all," Pep Guardiola wrote in a post.

The charges date back to a period between 2009 and 2018, with the case beginning after an investigation by the German newspaper Der Spiegel.

The Premier League accused Manchester City of failing to provide financial information and details of payments made to coaches and players, as well as breaching the competition's and UEFA's financial rules. The club denied all the allegations.

In February 2020, European football's governing body fined City €30 million and imposed a two-year ban from continental competitions. However, an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport led to the ban being overturned, as some of the alleged charges were deemed to be time-barred.

The club nevertheless paid €10 million in fines for failing to cooperate with UEFA.

During the period under investigation, Manchester City won three English league titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups and one Community Shield. It should be noted that the period covered by the scandal involving Manchester City runs from 2009/10 to 2017/18, while Guardiola took charge of City in 2016/17.