Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has defended his team’s celebrations after Sunday’s 3-0 win over Liverpool.
The trip to Merseyside was City’s first game since an independent commission found them guilty of all charges of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.
The club has since appealed the verdict and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
City’s players celebrated with the away fans after full-time at Anfield – after goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Ryan Cherki secured victory – sparking criticism on social media.
Asked about the celebrations and comments ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, Maresca said: “What was the criticism for? We won 0-3 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?
“I’m here today; the players are here today to win tomorrow. We work every day to win games.
“It’s the only thing we can think about and focus on [with]. We were very happy on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
“I don’t stress about things I can’t control,” says Maresca
The city manager later reiterated that he was calm about the situation regarding the ongoing process.
City submitted their appeal on Thursday, October 1, and the Premier League has new rules this season that must be heard within 12 weeks of an appeal being lodged. The application can last a maximum of five days – it takes place over several days, that is, from Monday to Friday.
However, the City could try to delay the appeals process by arguing that the new rules should not apply in this case because it was charged in 2023 – three years before the new rules were introduced.
But as it stands, the five-day appeal, which will be heard by a new three-member panel, must be completed by mid-December.
“I’ve said many times, I’m completely calm and relaxed. I promise you, I’m very stressed about the game plan and how we practice,” Maresca added.
“I don’t emphasize things I don’t control. The message with the players will be the same.
“Like I said, we know how serious the situation is. It’s not something we can do [about]. The place where we can do something is inside the pitch.
“The noise around the team is a big noise, but we have to deal with it and try to make our noise to win games.”
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FREE TO WATCH: Premier League highlights from Liverpool vs Manchester City
Dias: I stand by Maresca’s words
City captain Ruben Dias, who played the full 90 minutes in the win, echoed his manager’s words, adding: “I stand by the manager’s words. It’s a win at Anfield.
“In whatever circumstances, whether it’s at the beginning of the season or at the end of the season, we’re going to enjoy it and celebrate it the way we feel now. It’s a demonstration of how important it is to us.
“If there’s more or less noise, for whatever reason, it’s the same. The same as before, because people don’t like us to win and we like to win.
“It’s a common scenario that whenever you win, there are people who are not happy because they have the same ambition to win.
“It’s all a bit mixed up, but we know it’s not easy to get three points at Anfield. That’s the main reason for sure. We’re here to win points and win races; that’s what’s on our mind.”
Dias also revealed that City’s players had held a meeting following the news of the guilty verdict on 29 September.
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Ruben Dias has revealed how Manchester City players reacted after learning the club was found guilty of serious financial misconduct; The city appealed and dismissed all wrongdoing
“When it broke, we felt we needed to have a conversation as soon as we got back,” he said of their return from the international break.
“We did it so everyone was on the same page and clear about our peace. We went from there.
“It happened at a time when we were not together, but we quickly became closer to each other, calmed down and moved on.”