Maresca says Manchester City squad remains focused as club appeals verdict

Enzo Maresca says Manchester City's players remain focused on football following the verdict against the club over Premier League charges, according to BBC Sport. The head coach described a positive atmosphere as international players returned to training on Thursday, while City continues to challenge the findings and publicly maintains its innocence.

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The return came nine days after the Premier League released a report finding City guilty of most of the 115 charges brought against it. BBC Sport reported that the findings concerned contracts used to conceal more than £830 million in funding. City has launched an appeal, and no punishment has yet been imposed. The findings and the outstanding question of sanctions therefore remain distinct parts of the case.

Maresca addressed the squad after most players had been away with their national teams when the verdict emerged. According to the BBC, he asked them to prevent the situation from changing their attitude or concentration. In an interview conducted by the club, he said the players were concentrating on matters they could influence on the pitch, were encouraged by City's position at the top of the league and continued to trust the club.

Erling Haaland also called for unity in an interview with Sky Sports cited by the BBC. The striker spoke about his attachment to City and its supporters, encouraging players and fans to remain positive and support one another. His comments echoed Maresca's emphasis on maintaining the team's focus rather than allowing the proceedings to dominate its daily work.

The case has also drawn responses from rival managers. Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner urged a swift conclusion, referring to the uncertainty he experienced at Crystal Palace before its demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League in 2025 over multi-club ownership rules. Glasner warned that prolonged uncertainty could damage confidence in the Premier League and stressed the importance of supporters trusting the competition.

BBC Sport reported that there was little appetite within the Premier League and its clubs to remove City's past titles, although the punishment remains undecided. Coventry manager Frank Lampard, who previously played for City, said players would retain their personal memories of winning titles regardless of any subsequent decision. Neither those comments nor the reported views on past trophies establish what sanction City will ultimately face.