Manchester City’s manager Enzo Maresca and star striker Erling Haaland have urged the club’s players and supporters to remain united and positive following a ruling that found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The verdict relates to alleged violations spanning from the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons and was delivered by an independent commission last month.
City have strongly denied the allegations and are currently appealing the commission’s findings, which detailed serious breaches and could result in severe penalties, including points deductions or even relegation. The club has stated it possesses “irrefutable evidence” to support its innocence. Despite the ongoing uncertainty over potential sanctions, both Maresca and Haaland have emphasized focusing on the team’s immediate priorities, particularly ahead of a highly anticipated fixture against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the ruling, Haaland, who signed a long-term contract with City last year, encouraged fans and players to “stick together, stay positive, and enjoy the ride.” He highlighted the importance of solidarity and maintaining a positive outlook “no matter what happens,” adding that the supporters’ passion and voice are vital as the team prepares for the upcoming challenging matches. Haaland also noted his personal connection to the club, referencing his family’s ties to the UK and his father’s previous tenure as a City player.
Maresca echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in the club’s management and the professionalism of his squad amid the turmoil. “The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club,” he said, acknowledging the “noise” surrounding the issue but insisting the players remain focused solely on their football duties. He described the mood among his players as “fantastic,” noting their excitement ahead of key fixtures against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Maresca called on fans to lend their support at Anfield, emphasizing the need for collective passion and unity.
The ruling has attracted wider attention within the Premier League, with figures such as Nottingham Forest’s Oliver Glasner urging a swift resolution to protect the integrity of the competition. Glasner stressed that prolonged uncertainty could damage the league’s reputation and deter fans from engagement. Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe also underscored the importance of a level playing field in sports, though he refrained from elaborating on his views regarding City’s case.
Ahead of the weekend fixture, authorities in Liverpool have confirmed preparations to ensure safety, amid concerns following social media activity calling on supporters to confront the City team bus—a tactic previously associated with incidents in 2018.
As Manchester City faces a period of heightened scrutiny and potential disciplinary consequences, the club’s leadership, players, and fans are being urged to maintain unity and focus on the sport, even as the future ramifications of the decision remain uncertain.