Soccer
'Absolutely not allowed!' - Pep Guardiola claims no break for Manchester City after FIFA Club World Cup exploits
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims the Premier League will not allow the club to delay their start to next season following the FIFA Club World Cup.
The champions are set to contest an expanded format of the tournament in the United States following the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, along with Chelsea.
The two teams will join others, including Real Madrid, Boca Juniors, Al-Hilal, Seattle Sounders and Auckland City, in the trans-continental tournament between June and July.
However, both are expected to report for the new Premier League campaign in August as expected, with Guardiola claiming they will not be allowed to take a break.
"The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery," he said.
"I think the club asked the league to postpone one or two or three weeks so we can have a holiday after the [FIFA Club] World Cup.
"But it is absolutely not allowed. The Premier League say yes to us? No. Absolutely not."
As it stands, City have reportedly lodged no official request with the Premier League however, which is also yet to confirm the start date for the 2025-26 campaign.
City qualified for the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup after they won the 2023 Champions League Final against Inter Milan.
Guardiola is bidding for a second European crown at the helm of the club this term, with further fixtures against Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain to come.
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