Maresca backs Man City 'completely' as 115-charge verdict looms over Liverpool clash

Enzo Maresca has expressed unconditional trust in Manchester City’s ownership and hierarchy following the Premier League’s verdict that found the club guilty of nearly all of the 115 financial charges levelled against them — a bombshell that overshadowed his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

The verdict, which landed during the international break, has sent shockwaves through world football. City have lodged an appeal and continue to insist on their innocence, but no punishment has yet been formally issued. Fines, points deductions, and even expulsion from the Premier League have all been cited as potential sanctions.

Maresca, facing what many observers described as the most difficult press conference of his managerial career, said he trusts the club’s leadership “completely”. The head coach was expected to field questions on his conversations with City’s owners, what the verdict means for the squad, and how the club intends to move forward while the appeal process plays out.

Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the club itself have already released public statements in response to the verdict. City players were pulled from media duties during the international break to shield them from questions, but striker Erling Haaland broke his silence on Thursday when the club released an interview in which he urged supporters to remain positive.

“We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive no matter what happens in life — we always have to have a smile,” Haaland said. “We have to stay positive, look ahead and try to win football games and then try to enjoy the situation and win the game.”

The Norwegian’s comments set the tone Maresca appeared keen to maintain in his own briefing. While a Premier League fixture against Liverpool would ordinarily centre on the title race, injury updates, and tactical preparation, Sunday’s game was widely acknowledged to have taken a back seat given the scale of the off-field developments surrounding the club.