Maresca defends City's titles as the breach appeal against the 100-plus violation verdict goes on

The verdict and the appeal

An independent commission found Manchester City guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules covering 2009 to 2018. The count varies by outlet: the Independent reports 114 breaches, while Reuters and Al Jazeera use the wording "more than 100". Estimates of the disguised funding also differ, with the BBC citing more than £830m, the New York Times more than £850million and the Independent more than £900m. City deny all wrongdoing, have lodged an appeal and say the verdict contains "clear material errors of law, principle and fact". If the findings are upheld, Al Jazeera lists points deductions, fines, transfer embargoes and relegation as possible punishments. The New York Times says the current appeal could be concluded by the end of January 2027, while further appeals would almost certainly take years.

Maresca backs the titles

Enzo Maresca, who was part of Pep Guardiola's staff when City won the treble in 2022-23, rejected any suggestion that the club's titles were tainted at his press conference on Friday. Asked directly whether those achievements felt tainted, he replied "Absolutely not." He said he knew the effort put in by the players, the club and the manager during that season, and said he had no doubt about it. Maresca said he would "absolutely" still have taken the job had he known what lay ahead, and said the charges were never raised during his contract negotiations. Al Jazeera reports that he believes the appeal will be won.

I trust the club because I trust the people. So that is why I joined the club.

When reporters pressed him on whether he would stay regardless of sanctions, he turned the question back, asking "But what will we do if Manchester City win?" He declined to discuss the situation further until the appeal is decided.

I would like to speak about this situation when we win the appeal.

Managers react across the league

Mikel Arteta, who worked as Guardiola's assistant at City between 2016 and 2019, was asked at Arsenal's London Colney headquarters whether his conscience was clear. He answered "Yes" and then declined most follow-up questions, saying he wanted to respect the process and the timelines. Asked if he had spoken to Guardiola since the verdict, he said "I prefer not to answer those questions." He added that he believes the Premier League remains the best in the world, answering "100%" when asked.

My position, and I think the club's position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola also addressed the case ahead of the weekend's fixture at Anfield. Manchester United manager Michael Carrick, a former United midfielder who finished second to City as both a player and assistant manager since the 2008 Abu Dhabi takeover, said speed is essential for everyone to be clear. City's chief executive Ferran Soriano called the verdict a "Premier League conspiracy theory" in a leaked video message to club staff.

I think uncertainty is not good for anyone, and anyone involved, but the process is ongoing, and we have to be patient like everyone else and see what happens at the end.

What comes next

Arsenal host Leeds at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, three points behind City, who have won all five matches so far this season. City travel to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool, a club that has lost out to City often in recent seasons, and the New York Times expects the fixture to be one of the most watched Premier League games. Arteta will manage his first match since signing a contract extension with Arsenal until 2030, which he described as an honour in a statement quoted by the Independent. City's appeal remains ongoing, and no sanction has been applied while it is pending.