Enzo Maresca has firmly rejected suggestions that Manchester City's trophy haul has been tainted by the Premier League verdict against the club, insisting he knows how much work went into winning those titles and remains convinced they will overturn the findings on appeal.The City manager faced a barrage of questions on the controversy during Friday’s press conference but appeared relaxed as he defended the club’s ownership ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool."Absolutely not," Maresca said when asked whether City's titles had been tainted. "I know exactly the effort that the club put in to achieve those titles."'Tainted?! Absolutely not.' Man City manager Enzo Maresca says their financial rule breaches don't taint their achievements 🏆 https://t.co/EiVDXsqHXx— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 9, 2026 An independent commission found City guilty of the majority of the charges relating to alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The findings included the use of "sham" contracts and misleading accounts to conceal more than £830m in secret funding.City have appealed, arguing that the ruling contained "clear material errors, of law, principle and fact" and was therefore unsafe.Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola in June after previous spells at City's academy and on the first-team coaching staff, insisted his faith in the club's hierarchy remains absolute."The reason I joined this club is that I completely trust, 100%, the owner, the CEO, the sporting director, all the organisation. So I don't have doubt about that," he said.##EDITORS_CHOICE##The Italian added that the charges had not been discussed during negotiations over his appointment, but insisted he would still have accepted the job had the findings been published beforehand."I think they are thinking in an honest way," Maresca said. "I think they are convinced that in the end we are going to win the appeal."For now, the 46-year-old wants his players focused on what happens on the pitch. City's internationals returned to training this week after the verdict emerged while most of the squad were away with their national teams."The players – we can control just the pitch side, the football side. So we are focused on that. This is what we can do and what we can control," he said.City return to the storm: Haaland calls for unity as EPL football resumesThat approach will be tested at Anfield, where City can expect an even more hostile reception than usual following the verdict. Maresca acknowledged that the atmosphere could be particularly intense but said he relishes such occasions."It will be a tough game, for sure. We need to be ready, the focus needs to be about the game, but we know the environment at Anfield," he said. "It probably will be worse because of the situation but, again, it will be our duty to do our best and try to win the game."The reason I decide to become manager is for this type of game."Saturday 18.30: (2.75) Liverpool (3.45) Man.City (2.50)In a rare shift away from the controversy, Maresca also confirmed that Erling Haaland was ready to face Liverpool after recovering from his exertions with Norway during the international break.Former City captain Vincent Kompany, now Bayern Munich manager, also spoke about the saga on Friday, stressing that his pride in the club’s on-pitch achievements remained intact."I played 11 years for the club and I've loved all the years I've played for the club. Everything we've achieved and done on the pitch I'm really proud of," Kompany said, adding that he was not currently occupied with the matters under scrutiny.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 6Saturday14.30: (1.40) Arsenal (4.85) Leeds (8.20) 17.00: (2.70) Aston Villa (3.35) Brentford (2.60) 17.00: (1.80) Chelsea (3.70) Bournemouth (4.40) 17.00: (2.80) Ipswich (3.40) Fulham (2.50)17.00: (3.10) Sunderland (3.40) Brighton (2.30) 19.30: (1.75) Man.Utd. (3.80) Tottenham (4.60) Sunday16.00: (2.65) Crystal Palace (3.20) Nott.Forest (2.75)16.00: (3.60) Hull (3.40) Everton (2.10) 18.30: (2.75) Liverpool (3.45) Man.City (2.50)Monday22.00: (3.30) Coventry (3.50) Newcastle (2.15)***odds are subject to change***
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