Guardiola hits back at Klopp and Mourinho’s FFP ban Comments

Pep Guardiola has responded to comments made by rival coaches Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho regarding Manchester City’s European football ban being overturned.

City’s two-year Champions League ban from UEFA for overstating sponsorship revenue and failing to co-operate with the investigation was quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and their fine reduced by two thirds to £9m.

Klopp’s comments

The Liverpool mentor admitted that the overturning of City’s ban comes as a relief in a sense that the playing field in next season’s English Premier League will be level given that all the top teams are participating in European cup football.

Klopp however further went on to admonish the decision itself terming it as ‘not a good day for football’.

“I am happy that City can play in the Champions League but I don’t think it was a good day for football yesterday, to be honest.” Klopp told members of the media.

“Just because I think FFP is a good idea. It’s there for protecting teams, protecting the competition. That was the idea at the start, that nobody overspends and stuff like this. Clubs have to make sure that money they want to spend is based on the right sources.”

Mourinho’s comments

The Tottenham Hotspurs head coach deemed Uefa’s decision as a ‘disgrace’ while further going on to say that his Tottenham side will never cross the Financial Fair Play lines.

“In the case it’s a disgraceful decision because if City are not guilty of it then you are not punished with 10million.” – Mourinho told reporters.

“If you’re not guilty you shouldn’t have a fine. If they are guilty the decision is also a disgrace and you should be banned from the competition.”

Guardiola hits back

“They have their opinions, Jose and Jurgen, but I tell them this was a good day for football, a very good day.” – Guardiola told reporters.

“Like I said many times, if we did something wrong, we will accept absolutely UEFA’s decision. But we don’t expect Liverpool or Tottenham or Arsenal or Chelsea or Wolves or all the clubs are going to defend us but we can defend ourselves.”

“We were damaged. The people say that we cheated and lying many, many times. The presumption of innocence was not there and after, when it happened and it was right, of course we are incredibly happy because we can defend what we have done on the pitch.”

City’s attention now switches to Bournemouth who they host in a Premier League clash tonight at 19:00 (SAST). Guardiola’s men have already mathematically secured second position on the English Premier League standings.