A new report has now shone light on the reaction from within Manchester City's first-team squad to the club's guilty verdict issued by the Premier League last month.
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Despite a hugely positive start to life at the Etihad Stadium for Enzo Maresca, Manchester City have been rocked in the past three weeks by the findings of an independent commission looking into the 115 charges of alleged financial rules breaches by the club.
The Premier League issued those findings in a wide-ranging statement, confirming that City had been found guilty of almost all charges, with suggestions of artificially inflating commercial revenues between 2009 and 2018 by around £830 million.
Manchester City have insisted upon their innocence, lodging a 'comprehensive appeal' almost immediately after the publication of the findings, whilst CEO Ferran Soriano told staff in a video message that the "whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation".
As part of the same message, Soriano told staff that "irrefutable evidence has been provided to the Premier League commission that shows it could not happen and that it did not happen".
And with the return of Premier League action now days away and Manchester City due to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, an insight into the reaction from within the first-team dressing room has been issued.
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could take a photo with Enzo Maresca alongside other key members of the club's hierarchy next week in light of the club's guilty Premier League verdict.cityxtra.co.ukPep Guardiola Return Date to Man City After Guilty Verdict Revealed With Enzo Maresca Photo Tipped
Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could take a photo with Enzo Maresca alongside other key members of the club's hierarchy next week in light of the club's guilty Premier League verdict.
How have Man City players reacted to the guilty verdict?
According to a detailed report from MailSport's Jack Gaughan, some Manchester City players have been in regular contact with their representatives over the past week and a half issuing 'often unanswerable questions'.
Sources close to players have reportedly pointed to how no two people are likely to digest the developments at the Etihad Stadium in the same way, with defiance among some and an insistence on winning the Premier League title, as well as no thoughts about bailing out.
It is said that others are naturally 'more nervous', while agents have been discussing ‘just cause’ provisions in contracts – options held by club and player – and whether severe punishment amounting to relegation may give reason to 'rip up' contracts.
Equally, representatives of players are stressing a 'wait-and-see' approach ahead of Manchester City's appeal against the Premier League's verdict.
What about Enzo Maresca?
Additional reporting from MailSport's Jack Gaughan reveals that those who know Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has been cutting a 'relaxed figure' when going about daily routines in Cheshire.
"All I can do is the football," Maresca is said to have said whilst smiling with friends.
Man City's plans this week ahead of Liverpool
With a three-week international break now out of the way, Manchester City are free to commence their preparations ahead of their visit to Anfield on Sunday afternoon - a testing clash for the club's title credentials, even before considering the events of the last fortnight involving the Premier League's case.
The expectation is that City's first-team squad will return to training on Thursday, with manager Enzo Maresca expected to address the team as a collective from the City Football Academy training ground.
At present, it remains unknown what the message will be in light of recent events, however many will expect defiance from the Italian coach, who will almost certainly insist on the focus being placed firmly on the task at hand on the pitch.
City are likely to face a hostile welcome at Anfield, with Merseyside Police insisting upon an "appropriate" strategy for the welcome of Enzo Maresca's side and the team coach, amid social media posts from Liverpool fans organising a 'Bus Greeting' two hours before kick-off.