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Guardiola wants UEFA investigation to be resolved quickly

Guardiola wants UEFA investigation to be resolved quickly
© Reuters
Manchester City are being investigated over alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play regulations.

Pep Guardiola has urged UEFA not to drag out its investigation into alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules by Manchester City.

The European governing body announced on Thursday it had launched a probe following a series of fresh allegations about the Premier League champions in the media.

The claims include allegations that some of City's sponsorship deals were artificially inflated and that the club were deceitful in their accounting procedures.

City have denied the claims and manager Guardiola expressed his confidence in the club when questioned about the matter at his latest press conference.

Guardiola said: "I think the club made their statement yesterday, I can't add more than that.

"The club is open, so hopefully it can finish as soon as possible and UEFA can decide what it sees.

"I said last season I trust a lot what the club has done because I know them. Hopefully they can solve it as soon as possible."

Asked further if he was concerned the matter could taint his legacy at the club, Guardiola said: "No, absolutely not."

Guardiola was speaking to media ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Watford on Saturday.

Manchester City can extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Watford this weekend
Manchester City can extend their lead at the top of the table when they face Watford on Saturday (Martin Rickett/PA)

Victory would take City four points clear at the top of the table ahead of rivals Liverpool's encounter with Burnley on Sunday.

City regained the initiative in the title race as Liverpool were held to a draw by Everton last weekend. Guardiola, however, is not yet looking beyond what he expects to be a tough game against Javier Gracia's side this weekend.

He said: "It's incredible what he's done. It is one of the toughest games we have in the last nine games.

Javi Gracia's Watford could climb up to seventh if results go their way this weekend
Javi Gracia's Watford could climb up to seventh if results go their way this weekend (Nick Potts/PA)

"They have physicality, quality one on one, they are strong in the air, well organised. This season they have achieved a lot of points, they have done incredibly well.

"It's the last game before 21 days without the Premier League, before the international break. Everything is closer in terms of fewer games left.

"At home it's massively important for us to take our points."

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2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
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13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
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18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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