Maresca faces first press conference since Man City found guilty of Premier League breaches

Enzo Maresca will face the media on Friday for the first time since Manchester City were found guilty on multiple charges of breaking Premier League financial rules across a nine-year period, with the manager photographed grinning and giving a thumbs up as the squad returned to training on Thursday following the international break.

City have strongly contested the verdict, insisting they are innocent and submitting an appeal. In a statement, the club said they were “both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission” and claimed to hold “a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their position, vowing to be “relentless” in pursuing the appeal.

Speculation across football continues over what sanctions the club might ultimately face, but Maresca will be hoping his players can set the noise aside on the pitch. City head into the weekend top of the Premier League having won all five of their opening matches, sitting three points clear of defending champions Arsenal and six ahead of Liverpool.

That gap will be tested on Sunday when City travel to Anfield for a fixture expected to generate a febrile atmosphere given the rivalry and the backdrop of the guilty verdict. City then host PSG at the Etihad Stadium the following Wednesday in the Champions League.

Former City manager Pep Guardiola, who has publicly declared his support for the club since the verdict was announced, is understood to be attending the PSG game. In a statement posted on social media, Guardiola wrote: “I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever. I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran, the players, staff, Enzo and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all.”