Maresca faces media for first time since Man City found guilty of 114 financial breaches

Enzo Maresca will face the media on Thursday for the first time since his former club Manchester City were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission, with the verdict delivered during the international break.

The commission determined that City had engaged in “sham” contracts and disguised funding totalling more than £900m across a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. City have since appealed against the decision, and Maresca has already stated his “complete trust” in the club, but Thursday’s press conference will be his first public opportunity to address the verdict in detail — including how the players have responded to the crisis engulfing the club.

The timing adds an extra layer of tension ahead of Sunday’s trip to Anfield, where Liverpool — one of the clubs considered most directly affected by City’s financial conduct during that period — await. The atmosphere is expected to be hostile.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is also scheduled to speak on Thursday and will be asked for his reaction to the verdict alongside his preview of the match. Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick faces the media ahead of a significant fixture against Tottenham, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is due to address reporters following his signing of a new contract with the club.

Earlier in the day, Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa are among the managers set to speak before Maresca takes to the podium. A further wave of press conferences, including Iraola, Carrick, Arteta and Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi, is expected around 1.30pm.

Maresca’s consistent public line has been to back City’s position that they are innocent of the charges. Whether he maintains that stance or offers any further nuance will be closely watched, particularly given the scale of the commission’s findings and the charged backdrop of a Liverpool fixture to navigate.