Maresca urges City squad to stay positive amid charges fallout
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has urged his players to remain focused and positive after the club was found guilty of most of the Premier League charges against it. The squad returned to training following a report that City used sham contracts to hide more than £830m in funding. City are appealing and maintain their innocence, with Erling Haaland also calling for unity.
Maresca spoke to his squad at their first session since the club was found guilty on most of the Premier League’s 115 charges. The international players came back on Thursday, nine days after a report alleged City concealed over £830m through deceptive contracts.
He urged them not to let the controversy alter their mindset or focus before the league resumes. Haaland backed that message, stressing unity, positivity and care for supporters. City are appealing and deny wrongdoing. Several rival clubs have reportedly told managers to avoid public comment, with some coaches declining to judge the case.
The case could affect how supporters, players and staff experience the coming season, as uncertainty may overshadow matches and deepen divides between fan bases. It may also influence public confidence in Premier League governance and financial rules, while rival clubs and audiences could weigh reputational concerns. If the appeal drags on, attention may remain split between on-field competition and off-field accountability, potentially shaping how audiences judge fairness in elite football.