Manchester City’s season just keeps going from bad to worse. Off the pitch, the club is now facing fresh legal action from La Liga president Javier Tebas, who has accused City of serious financial irregularities. As the club struggles through one of its most disappointing seasons in recent memory, these allegations only add to their growing list of problems. Meanwhile, manager Pep Guardiola remains tight-lipped, brushing off questions with a single word: “Next.”
Javier Tebas has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his latest move against Manchester City is no exception. The La Liga boss has filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing the Premier League giants of using parallel companies to mask financial losses. According to Tebas, City’s complex web of affiliated businesses allows them to offload expenses onto these external companies while keeping the club’s own financial records looking pristine.
During a detailed presentation at the FT Business of Football Summit, Tebas laid out his case, claiming he had both the “facts and figures” to support his accusations. He argued that this kind of financial maneuvering creates an unfair playing field, giving City a competitive edge that other clubs cannot match. Tebas insisted that all clubs should adhere to the same standards of transparency and governance, both on the sporting and financial sides.
Manchester City has yet to release an official statement addressing these new allegations, but reports suggest the club strongly refutes Tebas’ claims. This isn’t the first time City’s financial practices have been called into question — the club is still under investigation by the Premier League for 115 alleged breaches of financial fair play rules. A verdict on those charges is expected soon, and the outcome could have far-reaching consequences.
As the legal and financial pressure mounts, City’s on-field leader, Pep Guardiola, has opted for a strategy of silence. When asked about Tebas’ lawsuit during a recent press conference, Guardiola shut down the question with a curt “Next.” When pressed further about whether the constant scrutiny of City’s finances was becoming exhausting, he simply repeated the same word, avoiding the topic altogether.
This isn’t the first time Guardiola and Tebas have found themselves at odds. Their public feud dates back to 2020 when Manchester City’s two-year ban from the UEFA Champions League was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Tebas criticized the decision, questioning the legitimacy of CAS and suggesting that the court was not the right body to handle football-related legal matters. Guardiola fired back, accusing Tebas of being jealous of the Premier League’s success and urging him to focus on the issues within La Liga.
For now, Guardiola seems determined to stay focused on football, but the growing off-field drama is becoming harder to ignore. With City struggling in the league and facing mounting legal challenges, the pressure on the club — and its manager — is only intensifying.
