Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca posted an enigmatic message on social media following the club being found guilty on nearly all counts of breaching Premier League financial regulations. The news, which emerged on Friday, concerns more than 100 charges originally filed by the league in February 2023. City have maintained their innocence throughout the process and are expected to lodge an appeal. Surprised because the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges. But basically I’m a fan of Manchester City and have been a fan for 70 years, you’ve asked me on the programme because of my time as chair of City and the FA. “When I was chair I think I helped get the club out of a very difficult period and started the road to better things.
When reached for comment regarding whether he is seeking internal reassurances about the club’s stance, representatives for Maresca provided a screenshot of a quote by the Greek philosopher Socrates. The manager’s post featured the line: “The only thing I know is that I know nothing,” followed by his own additional remarks: “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
Reactions from Club Figures and Former Leadership
- Noel Gallagher, musician and long-time supporter: Expressed shock upon hearing the news, noting the club had consistently denied the allegations.
- David Bernstein, former Manchester City chair (1998-2003): Stated that while he felt shock, a financial penalty alone would be insufficient if the charges hold after appeals.
- Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary: Described the situation as a difficult moment for the sport, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to ease anxiety among fans.
- Nigel Huddleston, former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture: Called for an accelerated and transparent process to prevent further damage to the reputation of English football.
For lifelong fan Noel Gallagher, the verdict is a source of sadness for both players and supporters. Speaking on the Let Me Talk podcast, he addressed concerns about past achievements, such as Sergio Agüero’s 2012 title-winning goal. Gallagher maintained that fans remain focused on the on-pitch events, asserting that supporters know what they saw regardless of boardroom developments.
David Bernstein expressed personal anguish, noting his seven-decade connection to the club. He stressed that the appeal process must be handled urgently to prevent the ongoing uncertainty from damaging the club and the wider game. Bernstein argued that if the guilty findings stand post-appeal, the consequences must be more severe than simple fines. Bernstein, City’s chair from 1998-2003, told Times Radio: “I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday.
Meanwhile, the government has voiced concerns regarding the timeline of the investigation, which spans allegations dating back to 2009. Lisa Nandy highlighted the importance of fairness and consistency for the integrity of football, echoing sentiments that the prolonged case has been unsettling for the sport’s followers.
Manchester City issued a statement on Friday via a spokesperson, noting that the Premier League process is ongoing and subject to strict confidentiality. The club emphasized that its position remains consistent with its original February 2023 response, reiterating its belief that it has respected due process while anticipating that regulators would act with impartiality and without partisan influence.
Important Details
- “So it was a bit of a shock to find out that we’ve been found guilty of all but one. But really just quite sad. Sad for the fans and for the players.”.
- Asked if it changes the context of moments like Sergio Agüero’s title-winning goal in 2012, Gallagher said: “Our focus as fans is always on the pitch and we know what we saw.
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