Allegations over Manchester City and their financial dealings have returned to the spotlight after the Premier League charged the club in a move which has rocked and shocked at the Etihad Stadium.
Following a four-year investigation, City have been accused of 100-plus breaches, under four categories, from the 2009/2010 season right through to this season. However, some charges are only relating to particular years and the club have released a punchy statement in response to those claims.
Question marks over similar matters have been raised before. City were, temporarily, expelled from European competitions for breaching FFP regulations in 2019, but that decision was overturned as the club now face up to domestic charges relating to several offences, which the club strongly deny.
READ MORE: City charged by Premier League
It has crossed similar waters before, while manager Pep Guardiola - often the one forced to address matters in public during press conferences - has also made his feelings on the topic clear. Here's what the Catalan has had to say on FFP at previous junctures during his time at the helm.
Addressing calm before the storm
Over a few hours on Monday lunchtime, City were charged and responded to these latest allegations. Before the charges came to light and before the defeat against Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, Guardiola was asked about previous FFP allegations and the action that prompted from other top-flight clubs.
In a passionate defence, the 52-year-old said: "We were accused - I will never forget that there were eight or nine teams in the Premier League that sent a letter for us to be banned, to be out of the Premier League. That happened to us when we have the fifth best net spend, when we start to win titles..."
Guardiola held faith amid FFP concerns
Now this is where Guardiola really made his thoughts known. Pressed on FFP last year, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach threatened to depart the Etihad Stadium if allegations were ever proven. However, the comments also came wrapped with full faith in those behind the scenes.
He said: "Why did I defend the club and the people? It's because I work with them.
"When they are accused of something I ask them; 'Tell me about that'. They explain and I believe them. I said to them; 'If you lie to me, the day after I am not here'. I will be out and I will not be your friend anymore.
"I put my faith in you because I believe you 100 per cent from day one. I defend the club because of that.
"When you put something here [sponsor] then it's overpaid, but other [clubs] the money comes from the USA, but the money is correct, even if it's higher. We have to deal with that, we have to fight with that.
"As always, I am a big fan to support this organisation. No doubt."
Dealing with UEFA ban overturn
Needless to say, parallels have been drawn between this moment and the (temporary) UEFA ban which was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July 2020. Addressing that ultimate decision, the manager said: "This issue is over.
"UEFA accused us of being not fair in our process. The rumours will always be there.
"They were always there in the past. It is not a situation that is now, it happened a long time ago, but we are happy because we showed to the world that we were clean and we have done properly what people asked."
He added: "We know people talk about it. But it doesn't give us any more satisfaction.
"Our satisfaction comes from on the pitch, because we qualified for the Champions League next season."
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