Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca asks: can titles be stained after a verdict?
Maresca reaffirmed his confidence in the owners and insisted an appeal will overturn the decision, fielding questions all day Friday.
The relaxed Italian dismissed any hint of taint, insisting he knows exactly the effort behind each trophy.
An independent panel ruled City guilty of every breach of the Premier League’s financial rules from 2009‑10 to 2017‑18.
The club has appealed, claiming the ruling contains clear material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, Maresca told an internal interview the squad feels fantastic and isn’t rattled by the surrounding noise.
He added on Friday, “I joined because I trust the owner, CEO and sporting director 100 % – there’s no doubt.”
“We’ve spoken as a club. The right moment to discuss the appeal is when we win it,” he said.
“For me, we control only the pitch and the football. That’s our focus.”
Appointed as Pep Guardiola’s heir in June, Maresca returns for a third stint after time in the academy and as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022‑23 treble.
At 46, he has won his first five league games and could become the fourth manager to start with six victories at Liverpool.
For my money, City’s resolve will prove stronger than any sanction, even as the panel’s finding of sham contracts and £830 m hidden funding looms over Anfield.
When asked about the atmosphere, Maresca warned it will be tough, but the team must stay focused on the game despite the venue’s reputation.
“It may be harsher because of the situation, yet our duty remains to give our best and chase victory,” he asserted.
“I became manager for challenges like this.”
He thanked a journalist who steered away from the verdict, confirming Erling Haaland is ready after his Norway duties in Marbella.
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Maresca declined to say whether he has read the commission’s report.
The former Leicester and Chelsea boss noted the charges never came up in his summer‑time hiring talks.
He insisted he would have accepted the role 100 % even if the findings had been published earlier.
“We didn’t discuss it because it wasn’t an issue then, and I believe they’re acting honestly,” Maresca said.
“They’re convinced we’ll win the appeal in the end.”
Earlier Friday, Bayern coach and ex‑City captain Vincent Kompany said: “I spent 11 years at the club and I’m proud of everything we achieved on the pitch.”
“As a Bayern coach I’m not preoccupied with anything else right now.”
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, a former Guardiola assistant at City, said he will respect the appeal process.
“The timeline is still ongoing; it’s not resolved because it’s been appealed,” he added.
“Our stance is to refrain from comment until a decision is reached.”
“There’s a lot of noise, but we must respect the process and focus on what we can control.”
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola and Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso both urged patience as the appeal proceeds.
Iraola said, “Uncertainty isn’t good for anyone; we must wait and be patient.”
Alonso added, “We’ll see the final sanctions from an independent panel and respect their verdict.”
Everton were docked 10 points in November 2023 (later reduced to six on appeal) and lost two points in April 2024 for profit‑sustainability breaches.
“Toad‑boss David Moyes said he wasn’t there during Everton’s hard times.”
He added, “Looking back, it’s terrible to lose points and pay fines now.”
“There are older issues, nearly a decade old, still unresolved – that’s hard to accept.”
“I hope Everton isn’t the only club being singled out.”
Nottingham Forest also faced PSR penalties, losing four points in March 2024.
Forest manager Oliver Glasner said, “No final verdict yet, so I won’t comment on City.”
He continued, “If someone cheats they should be punished; otherwise, not. We all hope for the league’s integrity and a swift final word.”
“There are thousands of pages to read; I read a book each night, so it takes time. Patience is needed, but it should be soon.”
CORRECTION: Quotes originally attributed to Mikel Arteta were actually from Enzo Maresca.
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