Pep Guardiola: People want to see Man City wiped from the face of the Earth’ [Video]

City are facing the threat of a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League after being charged with 115 breaches of the competition’s regulations following an investigation into their financial affairs.

A long-awaited hearing into the matter began earlier this week and a verdict is expected to be delivered next year.

City manager Guardiola has claimed previously that some of the club’s rivals want to see them found guilty and he appears in no doubt they would expect punishment to be severe.

Guardiola brought up the matter unprompted at a press conference to preview Sunday’s clash with Arsenal while ostensibly delivering an answer about the tendency of people to overly criticise isolated bad performances.

He said: “During a season, you can say, ‘Oh, it was a bad season’.

“But for performances some people say, ‘Oh, it’s a disgrace, it is a disaster, it’s unacceptable’. No, during 90 minutes …