Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has publicly declared his absolute confidence that the club will successfully appeal a recent ruling regarding financial irregularities. In his first news conference following the announcement last week, where an independent commission found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations, Maresca maintained that he stands firmly behind the organisation's leadership.
The findings, which span nine seasons between 2009 and 2018, alleged that the club orchestrated "sham" contracts with commercial partners to artificially inflate revenues while reducing costs by more than 900 million pounds. Despite the gravity of these accusations and the potential for severe sanctions, including points deductions or expulsion from the league, Maresca, who took charge in June 2026, insisted he has no doubts regarding the club's integrity. He stated he joined the team specifically because of his 100 percent trust in the owners, the CEO, and the sporting director.
Addressing concerns that the club's extensive trophy collection over the last 15 years might now be considered tainted, the manager dismissed such suggestions entirely. He emphasised the dedication shown by the players and the previous coaching staff, led by Pep Guardiola, in achieving their various titles. Maresca noted that he has discussed the situation with internal club figures and plans to speak further on the matter only after the appeal process concludes.
As the team prepares for a challenging away fixture against Liverpool this Sunday, Maresca indicated that his players remain focused despite the surrounding scrutiny. He stated that the squad is currently unbothered by external noise and remains excited about their performance, having won all five of their opening Premier League matches this season. Meanwhile, former manager Pep Guardiola is expected to make a return to the Etihad Stadium next week for the club's home match against Paris Saint-Germain.
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