Before the Liverpool match.. This is how Manchester City coach and Haaland commented on the issue related to the club

Italian Enzo Maresca, coach of Manchester City, confirmed that “the feeling is wonderful” within the club, as they seek to move forward after an independent committee decided to convict the club of committing serious violations of the financial regulations of the English Premier League. City returns to official competitions on Sunday at Anfield, where it faces Liverpool in a match expected to be very tense.

But Maresca says the players "don't care much about the hype" surrounding the ruling and speculation about its possible consequences. "Honestly, I'm very calm," Maresca told the club's official channel on Thursday.

The club has been very clear, and we have complete confidence in the club.” He added: “We are aware of the amount of noise surrounding us, but our focus is only on what we can control, which is the football aspect.”

Maresca continued: "Honestly, the feeling is great. The players are excited about the next two matches [against Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain], but their enthusiasm stems especially from the fact that we are leading the league at the moment." He added: "The players focus only on that; they realize that the football aspect is what we can control, and they are not concerned with anything else at all."

The Italian coach continued: "They are aware of the nature of their work and are aware of the presence of this surrounding noise, but they do not pay much attention to it. All their focus is currently focused on how to defeat Liverpool, and on trying to achieve victory at Anfield by uniting with the fans." On Friday, Mariska will have the first opportunity to speak to external media since the publication of the committee’s findings.

City have maintained their innocence throughout and have lodged a formal appeal against the decision, but uncertainty over the potential consequences has heightened the scrutiny and interest surrounding Sunday's match. The independent committee concluded that City was found guilty of all charges against it related to serious violations of the financial rules of the English Premier League.

Among the findings reached was that Manchester City concluded - between the 2009/2010 and 2017/2018 seasons - “sham” contracts with a number of commercial partners, as part of a “camouflaged financing plan.” The committee stated that these arrangements artificially inflated the club's revenues by £830 million.

Investigations also concluded that City had submitted accounts that concealed the reality of its financial situation, and had significantly exceeded the spending limits imposed by both the English Premier League and the European Football Association (UEFA). It was found that the club had violated well over 100 Premier League regulations. The committee also found that the club had failed to cooperate and act in good faith during the investigation conducted by the association; Three of the four alleged violations were confirmed, while one of the charges was not proven true.

The case has already taken years to reach this stage; The hearings were held between September and December 2024, and the committee described the length of time it took to reach its decision as “unfortunate.” Earlier, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland called on City fans to remain united and positive.

This was Haaland’s message to Manchester City fans during an interview with Sky Sports: “Stand together, enjoy the journey, and smile.” When asked what he would tell the fans before the trip to Liverpool, the Norwegian added: “They will have a good time.”

Haaland said: “We have to come together, stay together, and maintain a positive outlook. No matter what happens in life, a smile must always remain on our faces.” The Norwegian striker continued: “Therefore, we must maintain a positive outlook, look to the future, strive to win matches, and try to enjoy the atmosphere and achieve victory.”

He added: "We must come together, and we must spread love among us." Manchester City made an exceptional start at the local level, winning its first five matches in the English Premier League, moving away by three points from defending champion Arsenal at the top of the standings.

They also have a six-point advantage over Liverpool before Sunday's confrontation, which gives the match an importance that goes beyond just being a new chapter in the financial issue. City is scheduled to host its counterpart Paris Saint-Germain - winner of the Champions League twice - at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday, which means that the club faces two major tests at close time, while the issue of the ruling issued still dominates public discussions.

Meanwhile, Haaland said that his relationship with the club gives him a special understanding of the fans’ point of view; This striker is the son of Alf-Inge Haaland, a former City player, and considers himself a fan of the club as well. Haaland said: “I have to say that I care a lot about City.

I also care a lot about the fans because I am a fan too, and I feel what they feel. He continued: “I care a lot about this place, about the United Kingdom in general.

And so are my parents; They lived here for ten years, mainly in Nottingham and Leeds.” He added: “We never lived in Manchester, but obviously my father trained at Carrington every day.

I spent my first four years here, while my brother spent nine years and my sister six years; So it's a special place for us."