Man City Manager Defends Titles Amidst 115 Charges
Enzo Maresca insists Manchester City's trophies are not tainted by the Premier League charges, expressing full trust in the club's owners and their appeal process.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has stated that the club's titles are "absolutely not" tainted, following the Premier League's finding that the club is guilty of the majority of 115 charges leveled against them. Maresca voiced his confidence in the club's ownership and their forthcoming appeal against the verdict.
During a press conference, Maresca, who appeared relaxed while addressing questions, asserted that he knows "exactly the effort that the club put in to achieve" their victories. An independent commission determined that Manchester City breached Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The club has since appealed, characterizing the commission's ruling as containing "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact and is unsafe."
Speaking ahead of City's match against Liverpool, Maresca noted that the team's atmosphere is "fantastic" and that they are unaffected by the surrounding "noise." He reiterated his trust in the club's hierarchy, stating, "The reason I joined this club is that I completely trust, 100%, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation." He added that the club is confident in winning their appeal.
Maresca emphasized the team's focus on on-pitch performance, saying, "For me, the players - we can control just the pitch side, the football side. So we are focused on that. This is what we can do and what we can control."
Appointed as Pep Guardiola's successor in June, Maresca has a history with the club, having previously worked with the academy and as Guardiola's assistant coach, including during the 2022-23 treble-winning season. He has started his managerial tenure with five consecutive Premier League wins.
The independent panel's verdict, which found City guilty of using 'sham' contracts and misleading accounts to disguise over £830 million in secret funding, is expected to lead to a more intense atmosphere at Anfield for the upcoming match. Maresca acknowledged potential crowd intensity, stating he is "always concerned" about atmospheres but that he is looking forward to such games.
In unrelated news, Maresca confirmed that Erling Haaland is available to play against Liverpool after recovering from international duty.