Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca has brushed aside concerns over the financial breaches ruling hanging over the club, insisting he and his players are fully focused on football.
City could face a severe points deduction, or even expulsion from the Premier League, after an independent commission concluded the club used "disguised" commercial contracts to inflate revenue and cut costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.
The league leaders, who have won all five of their matches, return to action for the first time since the verdict was announced when they travel to Liverpool on Sunday. Maresca's side then play their first home game since the ruling on Wednesday, hosting Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
The manager, who served as an assistant to predecessor Pep Guardiola during the 2022-23 season, addressed the squad for the first time since the verdict as players returned to training on Thursday following the international break.
"I am quite calm, the club is quite calm too. We trust the club completely," Maresca told City's internal media on Thursday. "We understand there is noise around, but our focus is on what we can control, and we control the football side. The feeling is really good."
Asked about the players' reaction — with several reportedly considering leaving City if the club's appeal fails — Maresca said they were "excited" thanks to their strong start to the season.
"The players are very excited for the next two games, but especially because right now we are top of the table, so they are focused only on that," he said. "They know what we can control is the football side. They are not worried at all about the other things. They know they are professionals. They know there is noise, but they don't care too much. They are just focused on the moment, on how to beat Liverpool, on how to win at Anfield together with the fans."
In its appeal, City maintains it is innocent, arguing the independent commission's findings contain "serious errors" and that the club holds evidence supporting its position. The commission also found the club guilty of charges relating to a failure to cooperate with the investigation.
Premier League champions Arsenal open the weekend's round on Saturday when they host Leeds United, with a chance to pull level on points with City — who would then hold a game in hand if they beat Liverpool on Sunday.
