MX23RW : Friday, March 29 15:23:28| >> :60:1083:1083:

Pep Guardiola misses press conference in China as Manchester City delayed again

Pep Guardiola misses press conference in China as Manchester City delayed again
© Reuters
Premier League champions are still in Manchester.

The Premier League Asia Trophy got off to an embarrassing start as organisers were forced to explain why star attractions Manchester City were not in China.

Last season's treble winners were due to fly to Shanghai for this week's exhibition tournament on Saturday but the team's flight was twice delayed due to an administrative issue involving travel agent Thomas Cook Sport.

The champions were now hoping to fly from Manchester on Monday – after manager Pep Guardiola was due to appear alongside Wolves counterpart Nuno Espirito Santo at a promotional press conference in Shanghai.

Manchester City were absent from their planned press conference (Andy Hampson/PA)

The media event went ahead without any City representation.

Premier League communications manager David Antill said: "Manchester City have experienced administrative issues with their travel to China but these are being addressed and they will not affect their participation in the Premier League Asia Trophy. We look forward to welcoming them in China very soon."

City had hoped to fly on Sunday evening after the initial delay but that was put back further when the problem was not resolved.

With the team now unable to arrive until Tuesday at the earliest, the players will have little acclimatisation time ahead of their opening match against West Ham in Nanjing on Wednesday.

The delay will be a headache for Pep Guardiola
The delay will be a headache for Pep Guardiola (Mike Egerton/PA)

They will then play in the final or third-placed play-off against Wolves or Newcastle in Shanghai on Saturday before moving on to play friendlies in Hong Kong and Japan next week.

PA has contacted Thomas Cook.

ID:365020: cacheID:365020:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4167:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City defender Harry Maguire in action during his side's Premier League clash with Manchester United on February 3, 2019
Read Next:
Man Utd 'agree world-record £80m Maguire deal'
>
Read more about Pep Guardiola Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!