Pep Guardiola to attend Man City's PSG match in show of solidarity

Pep Guardiola plans to attend Manchester City’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad Stadium next week, marking his first return to the ground since leaving the club at the end of last season after a decade as manager.

The expected return comes after an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of the majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The verdict centers on allegations that the club artificially inflated commercial revenues by £830m through sham contracts between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

City have lodged an appeal against the findings, maintaining their innocence throughout the process.

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Pep Guardiola Backs Owners

The Catalan coach informed senior club executives that he wanted to stand with his people and be with them during this difficult period.

“I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”

Pep Guardiola, former Manchester City manager

Balague explained that Guardiola feels a strong loyalty to the friends and executives who put everything in place for him to arrive and succeed. Former football chairman Simon Jordan praised the decision on talkSPORT, describing it as an act of integrity rather than running away from association with a scandal. Sources indicate that his right-hand man, Manel Estiarte, who handles consultancy work for the City Football Group, is also expected to attend alongside him.

Pep Guardiola to attend Man City's PSG match in show of solidarity — Photo: The Times

Etihad Stadium Welcomes Paris Saint-Germain on October 14

Manchester City will host Paris Saint-Germain in Europe at the Etihad Stadium on October 14, representing the club’s first home European fixture since Guardiola’s departure over the summer. Sources close to the Catalan coach indicated that while travel plans were initially unconfirmed, a firm decision was later taken to travel over to join club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the board in the stands.

His presence alongside current manager Enzo Maresca’s circle and club officials is viewed as a public show of solidarity during a turbulent period for the organization. Maresca previously served as his assistant during the Treble campaign. Prior to the European fixture, Maresca’s squad is scheduled to return to full training ahead of a fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

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Manchester City Appeals Commission Verdict

Manchester City’s formal appeal against the independent commission’s ruling argues that the decision contains substantial errors in law, principles, and facts. The appeal process is expected to take 12 weeks. The club officially confirmed via a statement that it maintains its innocence and believes the conclusions reached by the panel are entirely unreliable.