Man City charges: Maresca says players focused on Liverpool test | Football
Manchester City Manager Enzo Maresca Downplays Financial Verdict Ahead of Liverpool Match
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca insists that neither he nor his players are distracted by the recent verdict regarding the club’s financial practices as they prepare for a match against Liverpool.
An independent commission recently ruled that Manchester City used “sham” commercial contracts to artificially inflate revenue and minimize losses by over £900 million ($1.2 billion) from 2009 to 2018. The ruling has raised the possibility of sanctions, including significant points deductions or even expulsion from the Premier League.
As the team heads into Sunday’s match against Liverpool, City stands at the top of the league with five consecutive wins. Following their clash with Liverpool, they will face Paris Saint-Germain at home—marking their first match in front of fans since the verdict was announced.
“I’m very calm. The club has been calm as well,” Maresca stated during a media briefing. “We completely trust the club. While we acknowledge the external noise, our focus remains on what we can control: the football side of things. The atmosphere within the team is fantastic.”
Maresca, who served as an assistant under Pep Guardiola last season, spoke to the players for the first time after the verdict during Thursday’s training session. He described the squad’s mood as “excited” despite the uncertainty surrounding the club’s financial appeal, noting that the players are concentrating on their strong performance this season.
“The players are looking forward to the next two games, especially since we are currently top of the league. They are focused on winning and on how to overcome Liverpool,” Maresca remarked.
City is continuing its appeal, steadfast in its assertion of innocence, claiming that the commission’s findings include “clear material errors.” They have also emphasized their compliance during the investigation, despite the charges that found them guilty of failing to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will kick off the weekend’s action in the Premier League on Saturday against Leeds United. A win could position them level on points with Manchester City, who will hold a match in hand on Sunday.
