Manchester City manager says squad focused despite financial breaches verdict

Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca stated that his players do not care about the noise surrounding the club after an independent commission found it guilty of financial charges, BBC Sport, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian reported. International players returned to training on Thursday ahead of their Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, according to BBC Sport. [1][2][3][6]

The Premier League published a report stating that the club used sham contracts to disguise secret funding, BBC Sport and Al Jazeera reported. BBC Sport stated the disguised funding exceeded 830 million pounds, while Al Jazeera put the figure at over 900 million pounds, adding that the club could face a points penalty or expulsion from the league. [2][3]

Striker Erling Haaland called for unity in his first comments after the verdict, according to the Washington Times and The Guardian. BBC Sport columnist Tony Pulis said Maresca will demand a siege mentality from the squad, while BBC Sport reported that rival Premier League clubs are concerned about potential political interference in the appeal following comments by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. [1][4][5][6]

Manchester City is an English football club founded in 1880 that plays its home matches at the City of Manchester Stadium. Italian professional football manager Enzo Maresca serves as the current manager of the Premier League club. [11][12]