Erling Haaland and Enzo Maresca have both broken their silence on Manchester City’s charges after the club were found guilty of breaching over 100 Premier League financial rules.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing and lodged an appeal, which will be heard within three months of its submission on October 1.
Star-striker Haaland insisted his teammates “stick together and enjoy the ride and smile”, while Maresca described the mood in the City camp as “fantastic”.
Addressing the verdict for the first time, Maresca said: “Personally, I’m very calm, to be honest.
“The club has been quite clear. We trust completely the club.
“We understand the noise, but the focus for us is just what we can control and we can control just the football side.”
The Italian was all smiles at training and gave a thumbs-up to the cameras while making his way in.
He continued: “The feeling is fantastic, to be honest. The players are excited for the next two games. But especially they are excited because in this moment we are top of the league.
Erling Haaland and Enzo Maresca have broken their silence on Manchester City’s charges
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PA
“The players are just focused on that. They know what we can control is the football side – they are not worried at all about different things.
“They know their profession and they know that the noise is there, but they don’t care too much about the noise.
“They are just focused in this moment on how we can bear Liverpool and how, together with the fans, we can try to win in Anfield.”
Haaland, who has been City’s star man since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, expressed his care for the club and supporters amid turbulent times.
Manchester City were found guilty of over 100 charges of Premier League financial rules over the international break
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PAThe Norwegian told Sky Sports: “We have to stick together, we have to stay with each other and we have to stay positive.
“[We have to] look ahead and then try to win football games and then try to enjoy the situation and the game.
“We have to stick together, and we have to spread the love to each other. So, stick together and enjoy the ride and smile.
“I care a lot about the city, I have to say. I care a lot about the fans because I’m a fan myself and I feel with them as well.”
Manchester City have lodged an appeal and consistently denied any wrongdoing
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PACity play Liverpool on Sunday in a fixture clouded by the scandal over the international break.
Both sides enter the game undefeated in the league, with City winning five from five and sitting top.
The two teams meet at Anfield with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm.
