Guardiola wants Premier League charges dealt with ‘as soon as possible’

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (C) attends an event for fans with members of the Manchester City football team following an open-top bus parade through Manchester, north-west England on May 23, 2022, to celebrate winning the 2021-22 Premier League title. – Manchester City’s latest Premier League title triumph established the champions as a burgeoning dynasty. City’s fourth title in five seasons is arguably the greatest achievement of Guardiola’s glittering career as he found a way to hold off Liverpool’s relentless challenge by one point. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he wants more than 100 Premier League charges levelled against the club for alleged financial irregularities to be dealt with “as soon as possible”.

City, who are celebrating their third consecutive English top-flight title, were referred to an independent commission in February over 115 alleged rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

The Premier League also accused the club of not cooperating since an investigation started in December 2018.

The scale of the charges, which the club strongly deny, and the magnitude of the implications if found guilty, suggest the case could drag on.

Guardiola, whose side are chasing a trophy treble this season, does not want a cloud hanging over their achievements and wants a resolution as soon as possible.

But the Catalan, who has a contract until 2025, stressed he would not walk away from the club while the charges remain unresolved.

“What I would like is if the Premier League and judges could make something as soon as possible, then if we have done something wrong everybody will know it,” he said on the eve of Wednesday’s match against Brighton.

“And if we are like we believe