Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca stated that he trusts the club completely following an independent commission’s guilty verdict on more than 100 financial rule breaches, as reported by Ligaportal, while opposing managers and players across the Premier League have begun reacting publicly to the ongoing case.
Managerial Reactions Across the Premier League
Oliver Glasner addressed the situation in remarks to The Athletic, stating that the damage to the Premier League remains significant across Europe and globally. Glasner emphasized that league integrity is paramount, warning that fans will stop watching if trust is lost. Glasner’s former club Crystal Palace was directly impacted by recent player movements involving Manchester City, including the 2026 transfer of Marc Guéhi and midfielder Elliot Anderson’s transfer from Nottingham Forest for a reported 135 million euros.
Other managers offered varied perspectives on the ongoing financial proceedings. AFC Bournemouth manager Marco Rose adopted a cautious stance, stating that he lacks complete information and trusts industry experts to handle the situation, adding, Ich habe nicht alle Informationen. Ich vertraue den Leuten, die sich mit solchen Dingen und Situationen auskennen, und dann werden wir sehen, was passiert
. Coventry City manager and former Manchester City player Frank Lampard stated he had no opinion on the ruling. Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris took a firm position, asserting that the relevant authorities must act decisively to prevent the competition from losing its competitive value, stating, Die zuständigen Behörden müssen unnachgiebig vorgehen, sonst geht der Wert des Wettbewerbs verloren
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Enzo Maresca Expresses Full Confidence in Club Hierarchy
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca addressed reporters on Friday during his first press conference since the verdict, declaring full confidence in the club’s hierarchy, as detailed by Ligaportal. Maresca stated that he trusts the owners, managing director, sporting director, and the entire organization without reservation, attributing his appointment in June as successor to Pep Guardiola to that institutional trust, and noting, Der Grund, warum ich zu diesem Verein gekommen bin, ist, dass ich den Eigentümern, dem Geschäftsführer, dem Sportdirektor und der gesamten Organisation zu 100 Prozent vertraue. Daran habe ich keinerlei Zweifel
. The 46-year-old manager further stated, Absolut nicht
when asked if past titles were tarnished, and noted, Ich kenne den Einsatz der Spieler, des Klubs, des Trainers – und damals war das Pep. Ich weiß ganz genau, wie viel Mühe der Klub aufgewendet hat, um die Ziele zu erreichen
. The club has officially lodged an appeal against the independent commission’s findings, which determined that City breached financial regulations between 2009 and 2018 through disguised equity funding and inflated sponsorship valuations.
Erling Haaland became the first Manchester City first-team player to publicly address the financial investigation, speaking to Sky ahead of the team’s away fixture against Liverpool. Haaland urged solidarity and positivity among supporters, noting that the club and its fan base mean a great deal to him under a contract running until 2034, according to Sport Bild. Haaland stated, Wir müssen zusammenhalten. Wir müssen solidarisch bleiben und die Hoffnung bewahren. Ganz gleich, was im Leben passiert – man muss immer lächeln. Man muss positiv bleiben, nach vorne blicken, versuchen, Spiele zu gewinnen, den Augenblick genießen und Siege einfahren
. The 26-year-old striker, who moved to the Premier League in 2022 for 60 million euros after previously playing for Borussia Dortmund, added, Ich hänge sehr an diesem Ort. City bedeutet mir viel, das muss ich sagen. Die Fans liegen mir sehr am Herzen, denn ich bin selbst ein Fan. Ich empfinde genauso wie sie
. In its formal defense, Manchester City rejected the allegations, maintaining that the commission’s findings contain fundamental errors in legal and factual interpretation and asserting that a comprehensive body of evidence supports the club’s innocence, stating, Der Verein weist die von der Premier League erhobenen Vorwürfe zurück
and asserting that the findings are not tenable and that Es liegt eine umfassende Sammlung unwiderlegbarer Beweise vor, die die Position des Vereins in diesem Fall stützen
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Sponsorship Scrutiny Involving Etihad Airways
The financial inquiry has drawn increased focus toward major club partnerships, particularly airline sponsor Etihad Airways, which has maintained a principal partnership with Manchester City since 2009, as outlined by aeroTELEGRAPH. Investigators are reviewing whether millions in sponsorship funds originated directly from the club’s ownership group rather than independent commercial revenues. A past submission made by Etihad Airways to United States government ministries in 2015—defending its commercial practices against allegations of state subsidization from competing carriers—stated that the airline funded its sponsorship of the English club entirely through its own independent operating revenues, a record that legal analysts and league investigators continue to examine against current club defenses.
City Faces Liverpool Before Disciplinary Hearing Determines Sanctions
Manchester City travels to face Liverpool in a Premier League fixture scheduled for Sunday with a 17:30 kickoff local time, as noted by Sport Bild and Ligaportal. A separate disciplinary hearing will determine the precise sanctions facing the club, with potential penalties ranging from significant financial fines and transfer bans to substantial points deductions that legal experts estimate could reach between 40 and 60 points, according to aeroTELEGRAPH.
