Manchester City confirmed on Friday morning that the club had lodged an appeal after an independent commission found them guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.

A statement issued by City said that the commission's ruling contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe", while adding that they had provided "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence [that] exists in support of all of its positions".

City highlighted their appeal had been submitted on Thursday 1 October at 7PM, while reports have indicated that the club are expected to claim that key sponsorship deals were funded by the Abu Dhabi government, rather than the club's owners, as part of the appeal.

This all follows the Premier League's own statement on Tuesday, revealing that Manchester City had been found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the English top-flight's financial regulations between the 2009 and 2018.

An independent panel found that City had arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise funding of more than £830 million, while the Premier League claimed that City had "systematically broke Premier League Rules for nearly a decade".

Now, despite widespread claims in various quarters for Manchester City to face the strongest of punishments ranging from fines, transfer bans, and even expulsion from the Premier League, one figure is prepared to show his total support to the club.

That is according to Manchester City insider 'RealTolmie' on social media platform X, who has revealed that Pep Guardiola is considering attending their next home fixture, club sources have hinted.

It is suggested that the legendary Catalan tactician has now told figures within the Etihad Stadium that he 'wants to be with his people', although it remains unclear which of the club's next home matches he is eyeing.

Immediately after the ongoing international break, Enzo Maresca's side will face Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League, before returning to the Etihad Stadium in UEFA Champions League action against Paris Saint-Germain.

The club's next home encounter in the English top-flight will then follow the clash with the reigning European champions, as newly-promoted Ipswich Town visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 17 October.

The legendary former Manchester City manager, who brought a staggering period of success across 10 years at the helm, has already showed his support for the club in a message released on social media in recent days.

Pep Guardiola, who delivered the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy and a record-breaking four Premier League trophies in a row between 2021 and 2024, wrote on his media accounts, "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever."

Guardiola continued, "I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman [Khaldoon Al Mubarak], Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters.

"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."

For now, it remains to be seen whether rumours of Guardiola returning to the Etihad Stadium for an upcoming Manchester City match are true.

However, the prospect of support from one of the club and game's most prominent figures would certainly be an encouraging sign for fans who are no doubt desperate for clarity on the ongoing situation.