Guardiola: We did not circumvent the "Financial Fair Play rules"

Spanish coach Pep Guardiola denied that Manchester City's large spending in the winter transfer window was due to fears of a transfer ban due to allegations that the club violated financial fair play rules. Manchester City spent about 170 million pounds ($211 million) on Egyptian Omar Marmoush, Uzbek Abdulkadir Khusanov, Brazilian Vitor Reis and Spaniard Nico Gonzalez before the transfer window closed. Guardiola confirmed in press statements that these deals came to strengthen the team that is 15 points behind leaders Liverpool in the English Premier League and also narrowly qualified for the Champions League round of 16. The Spanish coach added: "Talking about our spending is not justified. When you look at the numbers, you will find that our net spending in the last five years is less than clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool." Guardiola's statements come amid ongoing investigations into Manchester City's compliance with financial fair play rules, amid speculation that the club could be sanctioned in the near future.