A general view of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
Manchester City are set to return to action for the first time since the verdict was announced(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Manchester City players will be confronted with the club’s guilty verdict upon their return from the international break. An independent commission found the eight-time Premier League champions guilty on 114 of 115 charges spanning from 2009 until 2018.
City have consistently denied any wrongdoing and lodged an appeal on Thursday, October 1. As the process is still ongoing and the potential sanctions unknown, the situation will hang over the team when club football resumes this weekend.
New manager Enzo Maresca guided his squad to top spot with five league wins from five before signing off for the international break. However, the team will face a tough task to stay in first place as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
There is set to be a fiery atmosphere as City return to action for the first time since the guilty verdict was announced. It remains to be seen how the side will respond to the off-pitch matters but Dr George Sik, whose book ‘In Ma Head, Son’ was one of the first on football psychology, has warned that the situation could have a long-term impact on the City squad.
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“If a traumatic event is at least sudden and over with quickly, the psychological process of adjustment and coping can begin - but this is likely to be so drawn out that it'll be immeasurably worse.
“The not knowing what'll happen might ultimately be worse than the scale of what is alleged.”
Enzo Maresca with Manchester City players
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca will hope to see a positive response from his team(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
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Under Premier League rules, the appeal process must conclude within 12 weeks, with the independent panel having 30 days to reach its decision. While that could result in an outcome being shared in early 2027, City may argue that the case began well before the regulations were updated, casting doubt on the timeline.
The uncertainty adds weight to Dr Sik’s point about the potential long-term impact on the players’ mentalities. Should the verdict be upheld, City would likely face heavy sanctions as the scale of the case is unprecedented.
One potential punishment is expulsion from the Premier League, which would require 15 clubs to vote in favour. Transfer bans, points deductions and large fines are other possibilities.
The verdict has also led to speculation that City’s star players could look to move on in the near future, with Erling Haaland among those tentatively linked with an exit. Meanwhile, the striker became the team’s latest injury doubt ahead of the Liverpool clash after being substituted for Norway due to fatigue on Sunday.
Nico O'Reilly and Antonio Semenyo both withdrew from international duty through injury, while Phil Foden remains suspended for the Anfield trip. Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League, having won two of their five league games and remaining unbeaten.
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