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Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca advised his players to remain focused and positive after the club was found guilty of using fraudulent contracts to receive over £830 million in hidden funding. Following the return of international players on Thursday, Maresca emphasized the need for unity and a positive attitude as the team prepares for upcoming matches, including Sunday’s game against Liverpool. Striker Erling Haaland echoed this sentiment, urging fans and teammates to stay united despite the ongoing crisis.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Enzo Maresca, the head coach of Manchester City, addressed his team privately this week following the club's guilty verdict for financial irregularities. The news broke while most players were on international duty, and they returned to training on Thursday. With City set to face a hostile reception at Anfield against Liverpool in the Premier League this Sunday, Maresca urged his squad to stay focused and positive. He stressed the importance of remaining united amid potential sanctions, which could range from severe points deductions to expulsion from the league or stripping titles earned during the period of financial misdeeds. Despite the crisis, City remains atop the league table after winning all five of Maresca’s league matches so far.
Written for “Man City After Guilty Verdict” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca encouraged his squad to stay focused and positive as they trained together for the first time since the club were found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League.
asserted
club → publish → League
The club's international players returned to training on Thursday, nine days after the Premier League published a damning report that stated the club had used "sham" contracts to disguise secret funding of more than £830m.
BBC Sport reported this week that Maresca would address the players upon their return to domestic duty after news of the verdicts broke while the majority of the squad were away with their respective nations.
asserted
majority → return → nations
It is understood the City head coach asked his players not to allow the crisis that has engulfed the club to affect their attitude and focus as the Premier League campaign gets back under way this weekend.
asserted
campaign → understand → way
Speaking to Sky Sports before Sunday's trip to Liverpool, striker Erling Haaland echoed his manager's sentiments, saying: "I care a lot about this place.
asserted
I → speak → place
I spent my first four years here, it's a special place for us.
asserted
it → spend → us
I care a lot about City and the fans.
asserted
I → care → City
I feel with them.
asserted
I → feel → them
"The fans will have a good time on Sunday - we have to stick together.
asserted
we → have → Sunday
We have to stay with each other and stay positive.
asserted
We → have → other
No matter what happens in life, we always have to smile.
asserted
we → happen → life
"We have to stick together and spread the love to each other.
asserted
We → have → other
City have launched an appeal and have publicly maintained their innocence.
asserted
City → launch → innocence
The private communication to those with links to the playing staff at City has been equally as emphatic, it is understood.
What have other Premier League managers said?
asserted
managers → play → What
As Premier League football returns following a three-week hiatus, rival clubs are proving reluctant to let their managers speak about the City verdict publicly.
Managers and head coaches - including Maresca on Friday - will be asked to comment on the matter during compulsory pre-match press conferences.
asserted
Managers → return → conferences
But it is understood a number of clubs have already taken a clear stance for their managers not to comment.
asserted
managers → understand → stance
Some Premier League news conferences were held on Thursday, but Coventry boss Frank Lampard, Leeds head coach Daniel Farke and Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle all steered clear of commenting at length on the matter.
asserted
Lampard → hold → matter
Jaissle said: "I think as a manager of another club I am not able to judge and it is not my job.
asserted
it → say → club
"The authorities are taking care of it, a process will be followed, and speaking on behalf of the whole club it is our job to focus on our job and preparing for [the match against Coventry on] Monday.
"
asserted
it → take → Monday
On behalf of the club, we should focus on what we can influence.
asserted
we → focus → what
Just focus on what we can do better and what we can influence on the pitch."
asserted
we → focus → pitch
Lampard, who played for Manchester City in the 2014-15 season, said: "What can you say when an appeal is going on?
asserted
appeal → play → What
I played for Man City a long time ago now for one year, but we'll wait and see what the result of the appeal is and onwards.
asserted
result → play → appeal
I don't know the timelines at all.
asserted
I → know → timelines
I'm not dodging the question.
asserted
I → dodge → question
I just don't feel it's an answer for me to give."
asserted
me → feel → ?
Asked what the punishment should be, Lampard said: "It's not my role to talk about a punishment or how much.
asserted
It → ask → punishment
I just can't answer that one."
asserted
I → answer → one
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