Guardiola dismisses prospect of UCL ban ahead of Chelsea showdown

December 8, 2018 By Ali M.

Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Chelsea, UEFA, Football Leaks

The Spanish tactician insisted that he has received enough assurances amid claims they could be banned from Europe.

Man City has been in the headlines recently after their spending was brought under heavy scrutiny thanks to Football Leaks. The mega-rich team's Financial Fair Play breach could come back to haunt them, with talks of a Champions League ban emerging.

Fresh allegations were brought up against the Citizens by Der Spiegel which claim the Premier League giant used inflated sponsorship agreements to bypass UEFA punishment over their spending. As a result, the European football's governing body is investigation this situation, with president Aleksander Ceferin confirming that there is a concrete case against the English side.

Sources speculate that Guardiola's side could be banned from Europe's top competition, but Pep insisted that he is not worried about the situation. Speaking ahead of their crucial tie with Chelsea, the Spanish boss moved to calm down the situation.

"We will not be banned, no," Guardiola said (as per the Daily Mail). The manager stated the assurances from the higher-ups have him confident, but should the worse happen, his team will accept their fate and carry on.

"That's what I think because I have trust in my chairman, with my CEO, what they have explained to me. I have trust in them. (But) if it happens, because UEFA decide that, we will accept it and move forward," he continued to say.

Man City was slapped with a fine and had their squad capped for the Champions League as punishment back in 2014. The reigning Premier League champion will want to avoid further sanctions as they attempt to end their wait for European glory this season.

As for Guardiola, his immediate concern is Saturday's trip to Stamford Bridge. Sterling and Co. are unbeaten this season and will aim for a crucial win away to Chelsea so as to maintain their lead, but the Blues will not make that easy for them.