Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Maresca Says Manchester City Will Win Financial Charges Appeal
A Premier League commission found that Manchester City broke financial rules over several years.
It said the club used commercial deals that made its finances look better.
City says it did nothing wrong and is appealing the decision.
Manager Enzo Maresca said he trusts the club and expects it to win the appeal.
If City loses, the club could face a large points deduction, relegation or expulsion from the league.
Maresca also said the club’s past trophies should not be seen as tainted.
City were preparing to play Liverpool, and former manager Pep Guardiola was expected at a later home game.
Maresca said his players would focus on the football.
Enzo Maresca said he believes Manchester City will win its appeal against a commission ruling on financial rule breaches.
The commission found that City breached Premier League rules and used allegedly sham commercial contracts to inflate revenue and reduce costs by more than £900 million between 2009 and 2018.
City denies wrongdoing and is appealing the ruling; the article says the club could face a severe points penalty, relegation or expulsion if the verdict stands.
Maresca rejected the suggestion that the club’s trophies over the past 15 years were tainted, citing the effort of its players and staff.
City were due to play Liverpool on Sunday; Maresca said Pep Guardiola could attend the team’s next home match against Paris Saint-Germain.
- Who
- Manchester City, manager Enzo Maresca and the Premier League commission.
- What
- City is appealing a finding that it breached financial rules; Maresca said he expects the club to prevail.
- When
- Maresca made the comments Friday, after the commission’s finding was announced the previous week.
- Where
- The case concerns Manchester City and Premier League rules in England.
- Why
- The commission found that City breached financial rules, including through commercial contracts that it said inflated revenues and reduced costs.
Commission’s findings
Manchester City’s position
Financial-rule allegations
Commission’s findings
An independent commission found that City breached financial rules and arranged sham commercial contracts that inflated revenues and reduced costs.
Manchester City’s position
City denies wrongdoing and is appealing the commission’s judgment.
Meaning of past trophies
Commission’s findings
The commission’s finding raises questions about the club’s conduct during the period examined.
Manchester City’s position
Maresca said the trophies were not tainted and pointed to the effort of players, staff and former manager Pep Guardiola.
- Period covered by commission finding
- Nine seasons, from 2009 to 2018
- Financial impact cited
- More than £900 million ($1.2 billion)
- Club’s position
- Manchester City denies wrongdoing and is appealing
- Potential consequences cited
- A severe points penalty, relegation or expulsion from the Premier League
- Maresca’s league start
- Five wins from five Premier League games, according to the article
- Upcoming fixtures mentioned
- Liverpool on Sunday; Paris Saint-Germain at home on Wednesday