-
Enzo Maresca insists Manchester City’s dressing-room atmosphere remains positive despite the Premier League financial charges verdict, saying his players are focused on football.
-
Erling Haaland has urged supporters to remain united with the club, promising that Manchester City fans travelling to Liverpool will have a good time.
-
City return to Premier League action against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday after an independent commission found the club guilty of the majority of 115 alleged financial-rule breaches.
-
Manchester City have appealed the findings and continue to maintain their innocence, with the potential sporting consequences still unresolved.
October 09, (THEWILL) – Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca, and striker, Erling Haaland, have called for unity and positivity as the club prepares to face Liverpool, insisting that the controversy surrounding its financial charges will not distract the squad from its Premier League ambitions.
City return to competitive action at Anfield on Sunday following the international break, with the club facing renewed scrutiny after an independent commission found it guilty of the majority of the 115 financial-rule breaches brought against it by the Premier League.
The verdict, which emerged while several City players were away on international duty, has intensified debate over the club’s finances and the possible consequences of the findings. City have appealed the decision, arguing that the commission’s ruling contains significant errors of law, principle and fact.
However, Maresca has sought to keep the focus on the pitch, insisting that his players remain in good spirits as they prepare for a difficult away fixture against one of their major rivals.
“The feeling is fantastic, to be honest”, Maresca said in an interview with the club’s in-house media.
“The players are excited for the next two games. But especially they are excited because in this moment we are top of the league. The players are just focused on that.”
Maresca Insists Man City Squad Is Not Distracted
The Italian coach said his players understood the controversy surrounding the club but were concentrating on matters within their control.
“They know what we can control is the football side; they are not worried at all about different things.
“They know their profession and they know that the noise is there, but they don’t care too much about the noise.”
Maresca’s comments followed the return of City’s international players to training on Thursday, when the manager was also understood to have addressed the squad about maintaining their focus as the season resumed.
The coach added that he remained calm and that the players and staff continued to trust the club despite the pressure generated by the verdict.
City’s immediate challenge is to maintain their strong start to the campaign against Liverpool. The fixture also offers an early test of the squad’s ability to perform under intense scrutiny, with the financial case likely to remain a major talking point beyond the weekend.
Haaland Calls For Unity Ahead Of Anfield Test
Haaland has also appealed to City supporters to stand behind the team, describing the club as a special place for him and his family.
“I care a lot about this place. I spent my first four years here, it’s a special place for us. I care a lot about City and the fans. I am a fan myself. I feel with them”, the Norwegian striker said.
Asked about supporters travelling to Liverpool, Haaland added: “The fans will have a good time on Sunday. We have to stick together. We have to stay with each other and stay positive.”
The striker urged the club’s supporters to remain optimistic regardless of the outcome of the ongoing controversy.
“No matter what happens in life, we always have to smile. Stay positive, look ahead, and try to win football games and enjoy the situation.
“We have to stick together and spread the love to each other. Enjoy the ride and smile”, he noted.
Haaland’s remarks reflect the message coming from the City dressing room: players and supporters should remain united while the club challenges the findings through the established legal process.
Financial Verdict Continues To Cast A Shadow
The independent commission found Manchester City guilty of the majority of the charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations over several seasons. Among the findings were allegations involving inaccurate financial information, player and manager payments, and failures to cooperate with the league’s investigation.
The commission’s findings included the use of what it described as “sham” contracts to disguise funding arrangements and inflate revenue. City have consistently denied wrongdoing and have maintained that the case against them is flawed.
The club has launched an appeal, and the final sporting consequences remain unresolved. Potential sanctions have been widely debated, but no final punishment should be treated as confirmed while the appeal process remains ongoing.
The controversy has also prompted wider discussion about the integrity of the Premier League and the need for a timely resolution. Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has called for the process to be completed as soon as possible, drawing on his experience of uncertainty surrounding Crystal Palace’s European competition status in 2025.
Glasner said the most important consideration was the integrity of the league, warning that supporters could lose confidence if they felt they could no longer trust the competition.
Liverpool Clash Offers Immediate Test
Manchester City enter the weekend looking to protect their position at the top of the Premier League table, while the trip to Anfield represents one of their most demanding fixtures of the season.
Maresca has made clear that his team will concentrate on football rather than the noise surrounding the financial case. Haaland’s appeal for unity has reinforced that approach, with the striker asking supporters to maintain their connection with the club during a difficult period.
The outcome at Anfield will not resolve the wider dispute, but a positive performance could help City maintain momentum while the appeal continues.
For Maresca and his players, the immediate objective is straightforward: keep their focus, respond on the pitch and give supporters something to celebrate despite the uncertainty surrounding the club.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
