Man City charges: Maresca says players focused on Liverpool test

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said the squad is concentrating solely on football after an independent commission concluded the club used deceptive commercial contracts to overstate revenues and understate costs. The finding, which covers the period from 2009 to 2018 and involves more than £900 million, also included a ruling that City failed to cooperate with investigators.

Maresca told the club’s in-house media that he and the players are calm and fully trust the club as the appeal proceeds. He acknowledged the surrounding "noise" but said the team are focused on what they can control: their performances on the pitch.

City, who appealed the verdict, face immediate fixtures that will test that focus. They travel to Liverpool on Sunday for their first game since the ruling was revealed, and then host Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League — their first home match since the decision.

Addressing the squad for the first time after the verdict, Maresca said the players are "excited" by the season's start and are concentrating on maintaining their league lead. The manager stressed that the squad are professionals unconcerned by external speculation about potential transfers if the appeal is unsuccessful.

The club’s legal challenge remains underway, and City have insisted they have evidence to rebut the commission’s findings. Meanwhile, the Premier League season continues, with Arsenal able to move level on points with City ahead of Sunday’s fixtures if they win their Saturday match against Leeds United.