Luis Enrique Backs Manchester City Ahead of Financial Verdict
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has urged patience over Manchester City’s financial case while backing the club’s achievements on the pitch ahead of their Champions League meeting.
City are awaiting a decision on sanctions after an independent commission found them guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules relating to the period from 2009 to 2018. The club deny wrongdoing and say they have evidence to support their position.
Financial case remains unresolved
- The Premier League alleged that City used sponsorship arrangements it described as “sham” deals to increase reported revenue by £900 million.
- City rejected those claims, maintaining that the sponsorship agreements were legitimate and that the money came directly from the Abu Dhabi government rather than Abu Dhabi United Group, the club’s owners.
- An independent commission subsequently ruled that City had committed 114 breaches of Premier League regulations.
- The punishment process has not yet concluded, with a final decision not expected before the end of the year.
Enrique said the discussion around the case was inevitable given City’s standing in the game, but argued that the legal process should run its course before firm conclusions are drawn.
“There is a lot of noise around Manchester City and there is often noise around big clubs,” he said. “We have to wait and see what the final decision will be.”
The PSG manager, who previously played alongside former City manager Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, praised the foundations Guardiola established at the Etihad. Enzo Maresca is now in charge of City.
“I hope everything works out well for Manchester City because I think what they have done on the pitch has been incredible over the last few years and they certainly deserved to win on the pitch all the trophies they have won,” Enrique said.
Enrique separates sporting success from the case
Enrique believes City’s record in competition should be judged separately from the allegations against the club.
“The trophies you win on the pitch remain on the pitch,” he said. “They deserved to win that and I hope they can avoid the sanction.”
The Spaniard declined to discuss the detail of the proceedings or any private exchanges he may have had with Guardiola.
“Now we have to wait to see what the authorities decide or the judge is going to say,” Enrique added. “The things I will say to Pep I will do in private.”
City turn attention to PSG
- In their first Premier League match after the commission’s verdict, City won 3-0 at Liverpool on Sunday.
- City’s players were greeted by boos and jeers when they emerged at Anfield.
- Maresca’s side now face PSG, the French champions, in a major Champions League fixture.
The trip gives City an immediate opportunity to shift attention back to football. A strong result against Enrique’s PSG would underline their determination to compete for major honours while the consequences of the Premier League case remain unsettled.
