Maresca Urges Manchester City Players to Maintain Focus Amidst Charges

Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has encouraged his squad to stay focused and positive as they trained together for the first time since the club were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.

The club's international players returned to training on Thursday, nine days after the Premier League published a report stating the club had used "sham" contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830 million.

Maresca addressed the players upon their return to domestic duty after news of the verdicts broke while the majority of the squad were away with their respective nations. It is understood the City head coach asked his players not to allow the crisis engulfing the club to affect their attitude and focus as the Premier League campaign resumes this weekend.

Striker Erling Haaland echoed his manager's sentiments. "I care a lot about this place. I spent my first four years here, it's a special place for us. I care a lot about City and the fans. I am a fan myself. I feel with them," Haaland told Sky Sports before Sunday's match against Liverpool.

"The fans will have a good time on Sunday – we have to stick together. We have to stay with each other and stay positive. No matter what happens in life, we always have to smile. Stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and enjoy the situation. We have to stick together and spread the love to each other. Enjoy the ride and smile."

Manchester City have launched an appeal and have publicly maintained their innocence. The private communication to those with links to the playing staff at City has been equally emphatic, it is understood.

As Premier League football returns following a three-week hiatus, rival clubs are proving reluctant to let their managers speak about the City verdict publicly. Managers and head coaches will be asked to comment on the matter during compulsory pre-match press conferences.

However, it is understood a number of clubs have already taken a clear stance for their managers not to comment. Some Premier League news conferences were held on Thursday, but Coventry boss Frank Lampard, Leeds head coach Daniel Farke, and Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle all steered clear of commenting at length on the matter.

Jaissle stated, "I think as a manager of another club I am not able to judge and it is not my job. Especially it is not in my job description. The authorities are taking care of it, a process will be followed, and speaking on behalf of the whole club it is our job to focus on our job and preparing for [the match against Coventry on] Monday. On behalf of the club, we should focus on what we can influence. Just focus on what we can do better and what we can influence on the pitch."

Lampard, who played for Manchester City in the 2014-15 season, said, "What can you say when an appeal is going on? I'm not inside the story, I'm outside it completely. I played for Man City a long time ago now for one year, but we'll wait and see what the result of the appeal is and onwards. I don't know the timelines at all. I'm outside the loop. I'm not dodging the question. I just don't feel it's an answer for me to give."

When asked what the punishment should be, Lampard responded, "It's not my role to talk about a punishment or how much. I just can't answer that one."