Pep Guardiola Addresses Bribery Allegations Against Former Club Barcelona

• Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has opened up on Barcelona's bribery and corruption allegations
• The ex-Barcelona manager defended the Spanish giants who could face serious punishment if found guilty
• The club was charged in March over payments made to the referee board in return for favourable decisions

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended his former club, Barcelona, who are facing serious bribery charges.

The La Liga champions allegedly paid 7 million Euros to a company linked to the former vice-president of the refereeing committee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, in return for favourable refereeing decisions between 2001 and 2018.

They were charged in March with corruption over the payments to Negreira. Negreira, alongside Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Barcelona president from 2014-2020, and Sandro Rosell, president from 2010-2014 and facing charges of corruption.

Guardiola managed Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, winning ten trophies. Now, his achievements are being questioned due to the allegations.

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Moreover, his current club, Manchester City, are facing 115 charges of financial breaches from the Premier League.

Barcelona will not face any punishments from UEFA for the payments to Negreira. However, the club is now facing further bribery charges, per the Athletic.

Guardiola defends Barcelona

Speaking about the charges his former club faces, he said the authorities complete the process.

"Wait and see. Let the justice, the process [take its course].

"So far what I heard… I didn't see or read, because I'm out of that, but I didn't see Barcelona really, really, really, really pay a referee to take a benefit. I didn't see that, I didn't read it," via Four Four Two.

He added that Barcelona simply won because they were superior.

"We won because we were far better than our rivals."

A resolution to the case will reportedly take years before it is completed.

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Ancelotti on Negreira case

Sports Brief earlier reported on Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti giving his thoughts on the Negreira case.

Ancelotti’s statement appeared a direct contrast to the words of Barcelona’s coach Xavi Hernandez who, when asked about the rather unpleasant situation the club had found itself in, opted against making a comment.

“I think that regarding this issue I am worried like everyone else. It is a very serious matter and the Justice department is already working on it. We have to let them work, and hopefully they can resolve the matter.”