Maresca: Man City players not worried after guilty verdict

Enzo Maresca faced the media on Friday 9 October 2026 for his first press conference since Manchester City were found guilty, addressing player morale, the verdict's impact, and the club's appeal.

  • Date: Friday 9 October 2026
  • Speaker: Enzo Maresca, Manchester City manager
  • Key claim: Players are not worried by the guilty verdict
  • On titles: Maresca says they are 'absolutely not' tainted
  • Next step: Maresca expects City to win their appeal

What was said

"Players aren't worried"

— Enzo Maresca, on his squad's reaction to the guilty verdict

"Absolutely not"

— Enzo Maresca, when asked if Manchester City's titles are tainted

"We have clarity"

— Enzo Maresca, on moving forward after the verdict

Maresca's message was clear: the guilty verdict has not shaken his squad. He dismissed any suggestion that Manchester City's achievements are tainted, and expressed confidence that the club will win their appeal.

Why Maresca is projecting calm

Enzo Maresca used his first press conference since the guilty verdict to draw a line under the noise. By stating plainly that his players are not worried, he is shielding them from the external pressure that inevitably follows a ruling of this magnitude. The timing, on a Friday before a Premier League weekend, is deliberate: he wants the focus on football, not legal proceedings.

His insistence that the titles are 'absolutely not' tainted is a direct rebuttal to the critics who have questioned the legitimacy of Manchester City's success. Maresca is not simply defending the past; he is protecting the current group's belief. If the players internalise any doubt about the club's standing, it can seep into performances. His job is to ensure that does not happen.

The claim that City will win their appeal is the boldest part of his address. It signals to the fanbase and the dressing room that the club views the verdict as a temporary setback, not a final judgment. Whether that optimism is justified will be determined by the appeal process, but for now Maresca is using it as a psychological tool.

Talking points

  • Maresca says players aren't worried, but will that hold if the appeal drags on and results suffer?
  • Are Manchester City's titles really 'absolutely not' tainted? The verdict alone will keep that debate alive.
  • Maresca's confidence in winning the appeal could backfire if the decision goes against City.
  • Does this press conference show strong leadership or is it simply deflecting from the seriousness of the verdict?

What happens next

Manchester City will continue their Premier League campaign while the appeal process unfolds. The club's next fixture will be the first test of whether Maresca's calm messaging translates into on-pitch focus. The appeal outcome will determine whether the guilty verdict stands, and that decision will shape the club's future.

Frequently asked questions

Are Manchester City players worried about the guilty verdict?

No. Enzo Maresca stated that his players are not worried following the guilty verdict.

Are Manchester City's titles tainted after the guilty verdict?

Maresca said 'absolutely not' when asked if the club's titles are tainted.

Will Manchester City win their appeal against the guilty verdict?

Maresca expressed confidence that Manchester City will win their appeal.

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