Yeah, I don't buy their 'explanation'. If it was just their business related why make all those puns and jokes about Pep and then act surprised when people ran with it.
They definitely know something but saw it went viral so someone slapped them on the wrist and said to dial it back. Maybe Pep really is negotiating his exit from City so we have to wait a little while more like when Mendes went to finish work with Perez.