Guardiola Defends Manchester City’s Success After Mourinho’s ‘Fair Play’ Criticism

Pep Guardiola responds to José Mourinho’s remarks about winning titles cleanly, citing City’s innocence until proven guilty in ongoing financial investigations.

Pep Guardiola dismissed José Mourinho's comments suggesting Manchester City’s titles were not won fairly, emphasizing that the club is innocent until proven guilty in financial misconduct allegations.
Mourinho, now managing Fenerbahce, claimed his three Premier League titles with Chelsea were won cleanly, contrasting them with Guardiola's six titles at City under scrutiny for 115 alleged financial breaches.
Guardiola reiterated that his gesture of holding up six fingers during City’s loss to Liverpool was meant as a lighthearted response to taunts, not a dig at Mourinho.
The Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches, covering 2009 to 2018, is nearing its conclusion with a verdict expected in 2025.
Guardiola expressed pride in City’s achievements under his tenure, which include six league titles and a historic Champions League victory, while dismissing calls for the club’s relegation as premature and unfounded.