Haaland and Maresca address Man City's guilty verdicts for first time

Enzo Maresca has said his players and staff "trust completely" in Manchester City after the club were found guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules. 

Addressing the ruling publicly for the first time, City manager Maresca insisted he remains "very calm" as the team prepares to return to action for the first time since the verdict was announced.

An independent commission last month found City guilty of "serious breaches" across nine seasons between 2009 and 2018, including the arrangement of "sham" contracts with a number of its commercial partners to artificially inflate the club's revenues.

The club were also found guilty on the "majority of charges in relation to its failure to co-operate with the league's investigation".

City insist they are "innocent" and have launched an appeal against the verdict. They said the commission's judgment contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact, and is unsafe" and that there was "a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to support their position.

Potential sanctions for City, which could include a huge points deduction or even expulsion from the league, have not yet been confirmed.

However, the UAE - where the Abu Dhabi United Group, the company through which Sheikh Mansour owns the club, is based - have reportedly warned that punishment for the club could impact the country's interest in future UK investments.

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways, City's main sponsor, has said it could take legal action against the Premier League.

'We understand the noise'

In an interview with the City's in-house media, Maresca, who is set to hold a news conference on Friday, said: "The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club. We understand the noise, but the focus for us is just what we can control and we can control just the football side."

Ahead of the team's clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Maresca insisted the mood among the squad was "fantastic", adding: "The players are excited for the next two games... the players are just focused on that. They know what we can control is the football side - they are not worried at all about different things."

Meanwhile, City's star striker Erling Haaland urged his teammates to "stick together" and "stay positive".

The Norway international said: "No matter what happens in life, we always have to have a smile.

"We have to stick together and we have to spread the love to each other. So, stick together and enjoy the ride and smile."

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Last week, Pep Guardiola, City's former manager who departed in the summer after a decade in the role, expressed his support for the club.

In a social media post, he said: "I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [club CEO Ferran Soriano], the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters.

"Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."

Guardiola is expected to attend City's Champions League home match against Paris Saint-Germain next week, marking his first appearance at the Etihad Stadium since leaving the club.

(c) Sky News 2026: Haaland and Maresca address Man City's guilty verdicts for first time