Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has been questioned for his thoughts on comments issued by former club captain Kyle Walker regarding the possible removal of a tattoo dedicated to the club's Premier League trophy success of recent years.
Are Man City's trophies now tainted? We asked two fans!
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Manchester City had been found guilty by an independent commission, with a verdict published surrounding 114 charges in late September, revealing that the club had broken Premier League financial rules over an extended period.
Since the publication of the verdict, City have strongly insisted upon their innocence and submitted a 'comprehensive' appeal against the decision, further pointing towards their body of 'irrefutable evidence' that will defend their position.
However, many continue to hold doubt, after City were accused of "sham" contracts as part of a "disguised funding scheme" that contributed to inflated revenues and reducing costs by over £900 million.
Whilst punishments are yet to be decided with an appeal process ongoing, some have suggested that Manchester City should be stripped of the Premier League titles won in the relevant period - 2009 through to 2018.
One player to have starred under Pep Guardiola was Kyle Walker, who later went on to become Manchester City's club captain, lifting the 2023/24 Premier League title - completing the historic achievement of becoming the first club to win the English top-flight in four consecutive seasons.
However, speaking during a recent appearance on talkSPORT, Walker appeared to entertain the idea of removing a tattoo he has dedicated to Manchester City's historic achievement, in the event of medals being taken away as a club punishment.
“Well I'm probably going to have to do that bit," Walker said whilst laughing, when the need for a tattoo removal company was brought up in relation to Manchester City's possible incoming punishments.
Walker continued, "But you look at the likes of the great Man United squads, they never managed to get four in a row. There's only a select few of us that can say we've got four. I'll try and keep it, but hopefully we don't get things taken away."
What has Maresca said about Walker's comments?
Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, as part of the manager's pre-match press conference looking ahead to the clash with Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, Enzo Maresca was quizzed for his thoughts on what Kyle Walker had to say.
"Nothing to say about that, to be honest. No comment," Maresca insisted.
The Manchester City manager continued, "It's Kyle's thoughts, and nothing to say."
How have Man City fans reacted to the comments?
Since Kyle Walker's radio appearance this week and his comments surrounding his tattoo and Manchester City's ongoing situation involving the Premier League, many supporters have been left angered by the club's former captain.
Much of the fans' frustration with Walker started upon his decision to leave the club on an initial loan to AC Milan in January 2025, in the middle of a hugely difficult campaign that left Pep Guardiola's side in a late battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.
A recent documentary covering the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons - Pep Guardiola's final two years at the Etihad Stadium - also uncovered the breakdown in relationship between Walker and the Catalan head coach.
The ongoing breakdown in connection between Manchester City fans and Kyle Walker comes as a significant shame given the immense impact from the England international on the club's set-up over an extended period.
After signing from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, Kyle Walker registered a total of 319 appearances across all competitions, winning a remarkable 17 trophies including six Premier League crowns and a UEFA Champions League title.