Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has expressed his disappointment with Aleksander Ceferin, the president of UEFA, for making comments about the club’s European ban. City was originally handed a suspension in February 2020 by UEFA for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. However, the ban was later overturned in June 2020 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Despite this, Ceferin has publicly stated that UEFA was right in their decision to ban City. Guardiola, in response, believes that as a former lawyer and the president of UEFA, Ceferin should know better than to pass judgment on the club before all the facts were presented.
Guardiola argues that Ceferin should respect the procedures and legal rights of Manchester City. He believes that the UEFA president should have waited for the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision before making any comments. Guardiola also emphasizes that as a lawyer himself, Ceferin should understand the importance of allowing Manchester City the opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations. Rather than jumping to conclusions, Ceferin should have recognized the club’s right to due process. Guardiola suggests that Ceferin has a lot of responsibilities within UEFA and should focus on carrying out his duties instead of prematurely commenting on ongoing cases.
In addition to discussing Ceferin’s remarks, Guardiola also sheds light on the potential loan move of Kalvin Phillips to West Ham. Phillips, who has struggled to secure playing time at Manchester City, is set to join West Ham until the end of the season. Guardiola reveals that the deal is not yet finalized but confirms that Phillips has traveled to London for a medical assessment. Guardiola expresses his hopes for Phillips to receive regular minutes at West Ham, something he was unable to provide during their time together at Manchester City. Guardiola praises Phillips as an exceptional human being and a talented football player, noting his inclusion in the national team as evidence of his abilities. He concludes by wishing Phillips well and expressing his hope for further improvement in his game.
Guardiola provides updates on the injury status of his players, revealing that Erling Haaland is on the verge of making a return but will not be ready for the FA Cup fourth-round match against Tottenham. While Haaland’s absence might be a setback for City, Guardiola highlights the potential return of John Stones to the squad, boosting the team’s defensive options. Despite missing Haaland, Guardiola remains optimistic about his team’s performance against Tottenham.
Guardiola criticizes Ceferin for his comments on Manchester City’s European ban and emphasizes the importance of respecting legal procedures. He discusses the potential loan move of Kalvin Phillips to West Ham, expressing his hopes for the player’s development. Additionally, Guardiola provides injury updates on key players ahead of City’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham. As the manager of Manchester City, he remains focused on addressing both the club’s challenges and opportunities as the season progresses.