Edu Gaspar has issued a thinly veiled comment on Manchester City pipping Arsenal to the Premier League title.
City beat Arsenal to the title by just two points and in the process, claimed a record fourth Premier League in succession.
In response to Arsenal narrowly missing out on their first Premier League triumph in two decades, sporting director Edu talked up their Premier League rivals.
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"There are things that unfortunately I cannot say what I feel,” Edu told Estadão. “But all the credit in the world to Pep [Guardiola] for the training and work he's been doing since he started his career."
Fans on social media have interpreted the first part of Edu’s answer to be in reference to the 115 charges issued against City by the Premier League.
One fan on Reddit joked: “It's a free country so you should say what you think, I 115 per cent believe in that.” Meanwhile a second said: “He knows Man City’s lawyers are some demons lol.”
A third added: "’I can't say what I want without a lawyer’".
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Writing in a comment column for The Telegraph earlier this month, Jamie Carragher argued that City are “the best Premier League side this country has ever seen” and dubbed Guardiola “the greatest manager of the modern era” for winning six titles at the club.
However, he said the list of alleged financial offences against them is “so huge, it has created a legal minefield with the club disputing each allegation”.
Carragher said: “Guardiola should be celebrated for his genius by neutrals as well as City fans.
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“But whether he and his club likes it or not, City will never escape the shadow of those allegations until they are dealt with, the years of legal wrangling still preventing the club from clearing its name.
“That is what baffles me about the whole sordid affair. When accusations are made against any individuals or institutions who have absolute certainty in their innocence, you would usually expect the demand of those involved to arrange a hearing at the earliest opportunity.
“Where is the statement from City expressing frustration or fury that the process is taking so long?”
Topics: Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier League, Pep Guardiola, Jamie Carragher, Fan Reactions
Chris Byfield