Guardiola "feels sorry" for Chelsea staff & squad taking in the news

Pep Guardiola acknowledges he feels terrible for

manager

Thomas Tuchel

, who faces an unclear future as a result of the penalties placed on owner

Roman Abramovich

. 

Guardiola, the head coach of Manchester City, said he was unsure of the ramifications of the United Kingdom government's move, and he refused to speculate on what it would imply for European champions, Chelsea. 

After Thursday's announcement, long-time Chelsea patron Abramovich was one of seven Russian oligarchs facing fresh sanctions, and the fallout on Chelsea appears to be severe.

Abramovich's assets have been blocked as a result of Russia's continuing invasion of Ukraine. He has historically been seen with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Chelsea has been given a special sports license to continue operating as a football club, but the club has been subjected to a number of restrictions, including a prohibition on ticket sales and the ability to attend matches exclusively by season-ticket holders. 

Guardiola admitted that he did not "know exactly why" the suspension had been enforced, but that he was aware that the implications for Tuchel and his Chelsea team would be difficult.

"Of course with the position for the manager, for Thomas Tuchel and the players, it's uncomfortable, and I feel sorry for them because they're there to do their job as well as possible," Guardiola said. "For the rest, I don't know, I have to wait."

Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the

final last season, and they are now third in the

, with Guardiola's side in a championship fight with Liverpool further up the standings. 

Guardiola recognized that Premier League executives and head coaches are frequently questioned about issues in which they lack technical knowledge at a pre-match press conference ahead of City's visit to Crystal Palace, which does not take place until Monday. 

"We are the face of the club, we're here every day, and you ask freely whatever you want, but you have to understand there are subjects we don't know," he said.

"We don't have a one-hour lesson to speak or talk about what you're asking for.

"I always feel confident talking about my club. It was difficult last week talking about the situation for Man United: I don't know, I'm not there. Now the situation with Chelsea is the same.

"I'm empathic enough to put in the position of the manager of Chelsea and the players. It must be an uncomfortable situation, but it was this morning's headlines and I don't know what's going to happen.

"I prefer when I don't have the knowledge or opinion about any subject to wait, and this is what I have to do. I don't want to say something that's uncomfortable for Chelsea or for our club, or whatever."

Guardiola was inquired if coaches should now consider conducting due research on the teams they are considering joining.

"You're right, yeah. It looks like you have to know absolutely everything," Guardiola said.

"Maybe in the next press conference I will have more of a clear opinion. I would like to speak with my CEO about exactly what is the reason why, what happened, and after I can talk more comfortably."

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