Enzo Maresca says Manchester City titles are not tainted after charges
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca stated on Friday that the club’s past titles are “absolutely not” tainted after an independent commission found the club guilty of the majority of 115 Premier League charges. Speaking ahead of a weekend match against Liverpool, Maresca expressed complete trust in the club’s ownership and predicted a successful appeal against the verdict.
Maresca Defends Manchester City Treble Achievements
Maresca served as assistant to Pep Guardiola during Manchester City’s 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign. Addressing reporters during a press conference, the manager rejected suggestions that those achievements carry an asterisk. “I know exactly the effort that the club put in to achieve” those titles, Maresca said, adding that he knows the hard work put in by the players, club, and manager at the time.
Maresca confessed he had not personally read through the Premier League’s written findings, admitting he prefers to focus on the pitch. “I probably should,” Maresca stated. “I don’t understand many things about many things. I focus on what I can control, the football side.” The independent commission found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to financial regulations and obstructing an independent investigation between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
Maresca Trusts Club Hierarchy During Appeal Process
Manchester City’s hierarchy maintains its innocence, claiming the commission’s ruling contained clear material errors of law, principle, and fact. The club has launched an appeal. Maresca stated in an in-house club interview on Thursday that the team’s morale remains high and players are ignoring outside noise.
“The reason I joined this club is that I completely trust, 100%, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation,” Maresca said during Friday’s news conference. Maresca confirmed internal discussions with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, stating that the appropriate moment to discuss the legal outcome will arrive when the club wins its appeal.
Focus on the Liverpool Fixture
Manchester City prepares to face rivals Liverpool on Sunday in their first match since the Premier League verdict was announced. While the legal battle continues in the background with potential severe sanctions looming if the appeal fails, Maresca maintains that the squad’s sole objective is managing match preparations and controlling what happens on the pitch.
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