Enzo Maresca has been speaking to the press for the first time since his club, Manchester City, was found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules
Enzo Maresca speaking during a Manchester City press conference
Enzo Maresca speaking during a Manchester City press conference(Image: Sky Sports)
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has rallied against the claims that the club’s titles are tainted after it was found guilty of breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
An independent commission’s verdict was confirmed last month, with City found guilty of all the charges against it related to serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, with the club accused of arranging “sham” contracts during a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
City and its owners maintain their innocence and have launched an appeal, but the club now faces calls for it to be stripped of its titles and expelled from the league.
Among those to have spoken out is former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports pundit Neville, who insists there will be a stain on City’s achievements should the verdict be upheld after the appeal.
"The Premier League is our greatest export around the world, and now it's being dragged through the mud because the very best team over the last 15 years, as we stand, are guilty of winning titles inappropriately. That's devastating,” Neville said.
"If the guilty verdict stands, it won't be real. It'll be a period tainted forever. The achievements themselves are tarnished."
Google Preferred Source Badge
Google Preferred Source Badge
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford
Gary Neville feels Manchester City's titles are tainted after the club's guilty verdict(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Marseca though has refuted those suggestions. The Italian, who took over from Pep Guardiola during the summer, was also previously part of the club’s coaching staff, and continues to back City’s owners despite the recent verdict.
Maresca faced the media for the first time since the club was found guilty on Friday as he spoke during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Liverpool, during which he was asked whether he now looks at City’s trophies differently.
“Absolutely not,” Maresca responded.
“The last time I was here was the treble season, I know the effort from the players, from the club, from the manager in that time, so I know exactly the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of target, so I don’t have any doubt about that.”
Content Image
Content Image
Maresca faced numerous questions over his and City’s position on Friday as it awaits the outcome of its appeal, and any potential sanctions which may come their way
“I understand the reason why most of you are here, but the only thing I can say is something I already said,” Maresca said. “There is a process ongoing, and in this moment I completely trust the club. This is what I can say about that.”
Asked if he had spoken with the club’s chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Maresca explained: “I spoke with the club, for sure. We all trust. The right moment to speak about that is when we win that appeal.”