"WE WILL WIN THE APPEAL" Enzo Maresca BREAKS SILENCE on Man City's guilty verdict - talkSPORT REACT!

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talkSPORT discusses Manchester City's 114 guilty findings, the appeal and the Anfield trip, plus Enzo Maresca's press conference

The show discusses Manchester City's 114 guilty findings, the appeal and the trip to Liverpool. Guests largely doubt the appeal can succeed, debate severe sanctions and legacy, and react to Enzo Maresca's trust-in-the-club press conference.

talkSPORT's Sam Matterface, Alex Crook and Scott Minto discuss Man City's trip to Liverpool and hear from City boss Enzo Maresca for the first time since the Premier League announced they club had been found guilty of financial breaches. Subscribe: https://youtube.com/c/talkSPORT?subconfirmation=1 🏆 Ready to win? Check out the latest prizes at talkSPORTwin.com Enjoyed this YouTube video? 😍 🖥️ talkSPORT's Website: https://talksport.com/ 📲 talkSPORT's X/Twitter: https://x.com/talkSPORT 📷 talkSPORT's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talksport/?hl=en 👤 talkSPORT's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkSPORT/ 📱 talkSPORT's Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talksport ? 🔴 Download the talkSPORT app HERE! - https://talksport.com/apps/ 🔎 Want to see if you feature on our YouTube channel? Check out our Best talkSPORT callers playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFVMnSsi04LGLa9pS9xDvme-Gjmlu2 talkSPORT PremierLeague

Transcript

Manchester City, let's start with them. Guilty on 114 counts. Go to Liverpool on Sunday. The reception will be hot. Are the booze for the club, for the players, and are they misplaced or does English football need to show just how upset it is that it's been dragged down by this saga? 03717234. The last time Manchester City kicked a ball in the Premier League, they had a perfect record. They still have it, but they also have a a dot against their name, an asterisk against their name. >> Yeah, it's it's almost forgotten, isn't it, going into this weekend that you've got Manchester City top of the table, brilliant start to life under Enzo Mesa, Liverpool unbeaten under Areola, but nobody is really talking about the form of the two teams. It's all about uh the atmosphere. As you heard there in the news from Nick, the police are on on guard in case it spills over. I've spoken to sources Liverpool this week to see if there would be any extra security measures put in place because we know there have been incidents involving the City team coach at Anfield in the recent past, but they say no, it's a normal security operation, but it's going to be a hostile atmosphere, isn't it? There's no question about that. There's going to be chance. There's going to be, I'm sure, some witty banners. I think it might inspire the City players because as a club, and I'm sure Enzo Moresca will say words to this effect when we hear from him in about 20 minutes, they're creating this siege mentality. So I'm sure that's the message Scott they're putting to the players as well. >> Yeah, look look from a players point of view and that's all really I can properly talk about is they'll just be focused. I mean they'll definitely have had conversations with their agents. I'm pretty sure not just Enza Moresca but the hierarchy would have been in the dress room just to try and allay any fears. All you can do as a player and as a manager is to believe what they say and wait till the full process falls out. So that's in the long term. We'll have to wait and see what the the circumstances are, whether it's demotion, even just the Championship, or maybe even worse than that. The long-term future has to be put to one side. It's all about getting back to the Premier League. >> It's ironic, isn't it, that Anfield is the first jury. Uh Liverpool have already written to Manchester City giving notice that they intend to claim damages. The Liverpool echo saying that the mood at the club itself is relief rather than anger. And Murzyside police actually putting no special measures in for Sunday's game. The club that finished two points behind Manuel Pelleini City in 2014. Jurgen Klopp's team that almost got 100 points and didn't win the league now get 61,000 voices behind it. I mean Liverpool suing but Sunday actually is it a football match or is it day one of the appeal? I I guess in some ways it is day one of the the appeal, although I think in the court of public opinion, they've already lost Manchester City and speaking to people close to the situation yesterday, people associated with other Premier League clubs, they don't think City have got any chance of of winning this appeal. Um, so it's now really all about the sanctions. Well, it's not though, is it? It's about how long it takes to get the sanctions implemented, isn't it? Because as far as I understand it, they've got 12 weeks to go through the appeal. Then they could then they've got to sit in judgment on whether or not they're going to change the the punishment. Then City can appeal that punishment. Then they can go to another arbiter. Then if they don't look like that, they can go to a high court. Is this just going to run and run and run and run? >> Well, that seems to be City's game plan, doesn't it? Um even the fact they've appealed in the first place, they must know that the appeal is not going to be successful. uh the chances of highly skilled individuals, even if they're a separate panel to what has come before, overturning 114 charges. They might overturn one or two, you would imagine, possibly, but they're not going to overturn 114. Obviously, there's less evidence to sift through this time around because they've got the the >> rerunning of the whole trial. >> Exactly. It's about procedural matters. >> Yeah. Yeah. Look, for me, there's two things. One is the length of the process and I think City will try and kick the the can down the road as long as possible. But two, when you talk about the actual sanction, are we just talking football people giving this sanction or are governments getting involved? >> Well, that that that is a concern of certainly some of Manchester City's rival Premier League clubs. In fact, it was suggested to me yesterday that the rest of the Premier League as a collective are going to lobby um to make sure Richard Masters, the the Premier League CEO, that this is a a fair process and that is a a swift process as well. They they think he's dragged on for too long. >> Is that why the prime minister came out yesterday and gave a statement saying that he wasn't going to get involved and he was now very much hands off and he wanted to separate the investment in infrastructure around Manchester from the football decision? Well, let's not forget when he was still mayor of Manchester, he got and obviously he's an Everton fan, he got involved with when Everton uh were deducted points and said the process was all wrong and that shouldn't happen. He's obviously said what he said a couple of weeks ago, then retracted that the next day. Now he realizes from a public point of view he can't be seen to be getting involved. >> They certainly can't. But if they can't, but if the Abu Dhabi government get involved and say we've got tens of if not a hundred billion pounds of investment in the country and we don't want this going a certain way, I'm not suggesting they will say that. I'm not suggesting that >> geopolitically they probably will. >> Okay, you may say that. I couldn't possibly comment. >> Well, I mean, it's just normal diplomatic conversation, isn't it? I mean obviously if you've got a situation where the vice president of the country owns a football club that is being penalized by an institution in another country there is going to be some sort of hostile reaction to that you would have thought and >> and this goes back to the Premier League not doing enough in the first place in my opinion to make sure that the state ownership wouldn't become an issue because it certainly has become an issue when it comes to this case. >> Let's talk about the players because the players will say and rightly so they did nothing wrong. Erling Harland was 9 years of age the first season that the charge sheet kicked off. His line to Sky yesterday was, "I care a lot about the fans because I'm a fan myself. Not one player in this squad signed a sponsorship deal." Scott, you've sat in the dressing room when there's a whole ground against you. Does Does that make a team worse? Are there players that wilt under that pressure or does it actually make it like we were saying earlier 11 men against the world? >> No. Look, Enza Moresca will do what Jose Mourinho or Sir Alex Ferguson would have done and absolutely make it a siege mentality. These are not just technically gifted players. They are strong mentally and you know we can give the example we obviously know a lot about Enza Fernandez um having watched him a lot at Chelsea and unfortunately in the World Cup as well. This is a really strong mentally kid mentally strong kid and Erling Highlands the same. They're all the same. They're footballers. They can put it to one side. They can they really can >> but the voices are getting louder. >> Of course they are. And obviously as the weeks and months go on, maybe that will start to seep in. But if we're talking specifically about this particular game in the short term, they'll put it to one side and it's us against the world. >> Liverpool fans will make it hostile. They will. >> Well, Liverpool fans, we've all said it's the worst possible place to go just because it's it's Anfield, but when you think about, you know, trophies were taken away from Liverpool because of what Manchester City did, they're going to be even angrier. So, and even more passionate. And look, I you know, people sort of said they hope there won't be trouble. I'm sure there won't be any trouble. Liverpool fans are sensible enough to be, you know, look angry about it and get behind their club, but not be angry towards the Manchester City players because as we say that the players, how many of the players now are even part of it in 2018? >> Do you think it affects someone like Phil Foden more than an Erling Harland? Because what whatever happens, Erling Harland is going to find himself at a top club. I think if he leaves Manchester City, if they end up getting relegated, Barcelona is his most likely destination. Phil Fo is someone who's come through the City Academy. He's a boyhood Manchester City fan. He's part of the fabric of the football club. So, it's going to it's going to hit him harder, isn't it? >> Yeah. Yeah. No, it will do. It will do for for a couple of reasons. I remember when I went to Benfica and it was a obviously a massive massive club, but there was a part of me that thought if it doesn't go well, I can always come back. I've always got to move, you know, back to England. Whereas when you were at Chelsea it was like the you know >> it was same West well of course but West Ham as well we got to say so that you feel the pressure in your own country you feel the pressure even more if you've come through the academy and especially gone to a club >> and there's a few that are like that I mean Niko O'Reilly is another one who's come through the academy he's obviously picked up an injury and might not be involved this weekend but the voices do not stop and you know even as far down the league as as Swindon who needed a win desperately at crew their manager Ian Holay has been talking this week he never minced his words. Uh he was speaking at his Swindon press conference yesterday, but he had this to say on the city situation having managed in the Premier League. >> You're a disgrace. You've tired it so badly. You're not the only pe people to do that. It happened right at the top of it all where some of the people at top of UEFA and FIFA were put in prison. And I said they were corrupt because that's what happens. I lost because we weren't quite good enough. We weren't quite good enough because the team was allowed to cheat. And if you didn't know they were cheating, I'm sorry. You've turned a blind eye to that. For me, it's all too late now. I would absolutely take everything away from every single one of them and make them start again right now. It happened in Scotland. I would do it now. They are a disgrace. What? And they're still not owning up to it. How dare you ruin what's part of our country, our DNA in this country without a shadow of a doubt. Do you know what's really interesting? Obviously, he's very passionate about it. He never minced his words anyway, but he is he representative of what the rest of football is feeling. [sighs and gasps] >> It's a really good question. I think the majority are. I think the majority are. I look, I know Ollie very well. I used to work with him and he's great fun and he's a proper football person as well as a really good person. >> Um, incredibly funny, but he's not laughing there, is he? And he's he he believes in every word he says. I personally think that would be too harsh. I think to to if you can somehow separate the owners from the fans. Yeah, >> too harsh. They've been accused of basically inflating their income by 830 million quid. Well, if if if you let me finish, I'm I'm saying about actually if you can some way separate the club or the owners from the fans, I think to to get Manchester City and almost be like a Phoenix club like it like Rangers was, I think would be incredibly harsh in my opinion. >> I think Rangers fans would have a a different opinion. Um actually, I've spoken to Rangers fans who who feel like City should be subject to the same level of sanctions that they were, >> but they would have been saying the same thing before that was that they don't believe they should have been. So, because they should have been, they believe City should be. So I get where they're coming from, but doesn't make that right. >> I think I think that he spoke about the owners there and there is a ground swell I think of of opinion from within the game and certainly from within the stands at rival clubs as well and this is not just tribalism in my opinion that unless they can prove their innocence then these owners should be banned from running the football club. >> Let's get to Manchester now and hear from Enzo Mesa. >> Uh this is what I can say about that. >> Why do you trust the club? Have you have you sought clarity from them? uh have you asked to see the irrefutable evidence they refer to and your predecessor Pep Guardiola once said that if the club is relegated he would stay will you give that commitment as well >> first of all I trust the club because I trust the people and this is also the reason why I'm uh I joined the club and then there is not another club in the world that where I would like to be so I'm very happy to be here I'm very proud I said many times since day one so uh this is this is my Hello, Enzo. Steve Scott from ITV News. You were obviously uh here before and you worked with Pep. Do the achievements that you had then now look different to you? >> Absolutely not. Uh again, I the last time I was here was the treble season. I know the effort from the players, from the club, from the manager in that time that was Pep. So I know exactly the effort that the club put to achieve that kind of you know target. So I don't have any doubt about that. >> They don't feel tainted to you. >> Absolutely not. >> And do you feel sympathy with your current crop of players because it's not their fault where they are and they will be taking flack every match between now and the end of the season. Do you have sympathy for them? >> No. Again the players I said already that uh for me for the players uh we can control just the pitch side the football side. So we are focused on that and this is what we can we can do and we can control we cannot uh control something different. >> Okay thanks Steve Rob. >> Hi and you've got the rest of the season to finish and to trust the Premier League. Do you share the view of your CEO that there's a conspiracy against the club by the Premier League? >> Again, uh I understand the reason why most of you you are here, but uh the only thing I can say is what I said already that uh the reason why I joined this club is because I completely trust 100% the owner, the CEO, the sport director, all the organization. So I don't have any doubt about that. Have you had personal assurances from shake mans? >> I spoke with the club for sure and we all trust and probably the right moment to speak about that is when we're going to win this this appeal. >> And do you have any concerns about Sunday? There's a lot of febral atmosphere around this game, your bus going to Anfield, the atmosphere around a lot of anger towards your play to to yours towards your club. Do you fear the anger towards Manchester City could become something more dangerous? >> It's the first time I saw your face here, so we don't know each other. But if you ask the guys that they are always there, I'm always concerned, not just Liverpool. I will be concerned also about tips. I know that Anfield is this uh nice pitch probably will be even more warm in terms of environment. But uh the reason why I decide to be manager is for this kind of a game. Hi, Enzo. There's We've heard that Pep's going to be coming to the game on Tuesday night. Have you spoken to him at all in the last few days? Has he been in touch with you? >> I spoke with the Pep the last time after Man United game after the derby. That was the last time I spoke with Pep and uh but I know that he's coming on Tuesday. >> How much does it mean to you to know you've got his sort of backing and all this? >> Anyway, it's always a pleasure. is uh after 10 years 10 years here he can come at any time he wants not just for the game for for training session for at any moment. So this will be I think it will be nice for him it will be nice for the fans for everyone. >> Hi Enzo in May um 2022 Pep Guardiola said that the moment he realizes the club has lied to him he will walk away. Would this be the same for you that you know if it's confirmed? Would you would you consider your position? >> Listen, I I I just said I would like to speak about this situation when we're going to win the appeal. Now it's uh is is no sense to speak about anything because uh I don't have many many many information but again I understand the reason why you know most of you are here because you want to hear something but uh no >> to a certain extent should it maybe be calak the chairman or fano who's be sitting here for this particular press conference answering these questions because really as you're saying it's nothing too much to do with you is it should it maybe be your chairman or your chief executive here. Don't forget that it's a Liverpool press conference. >> Okay, one last one then. You said just previously that you you trust the club totally at the moment. >> So, could that change? >> Sorry, that was a wrong uh answer. I completely trust the club in this moment in the future always. Thank you. So, I can modify the answer. >> Hi, Enzo. Um, obviously on Sunday, I'm sure this will bring the group together out on the pitch, but with this hanging over you potentially for weeks or months, how do you avoid that sort of impacting the season? >> No, you cannot uh avoid a avoid. We understand, we completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I'm not saying that we don't understand that. We understand, the player understand, but it's uh it's our duty, our job to try to control the noise also because again the manager and the players we are focused to win games, not about something different. >> Hi Andre, could I just just clarify something that you said to Jamie there about um I I completely understand why you say that you trust the club and you trust what they're saying to you, but if the if the appeal is lost, I think that's what we're trying to get to. If the appeal is lost, what happens? What do you what happens in your head then? >> And what happen if the appeal we won? What's happening in your >> I can imagine what will happen if you win. But if you lose the same I don't know it's we are predicted the the future. I'm not uh again you know that I'm worried about tomorrow in two days in three days. I don't know what's happening in the future. The only thing I can say is that uh I think it's fair from my point of view from all of us to respect the process. the process. Okay, verdict. There is an appeal ongoing. We see what's happen. >> You made such a good start to the season. I would imagine most Manchester City fans would would want to hear you say, "Even if we lose the appeal, I mean I mean for I mean Pep once said he'd be happy to manage in League One. It was a joke, but he still said it. I think City fans would probably be very happy to hear you say the same." >> I I uh won the Championship with the Leicester, so in case League One, we're going to see. But again, we are we are thinking about something that uh we don't know. >> And just about the players um with England last week, Thomas Tukul said that he was a bit concerned about the um effect psychologically on some of the City players that were with him with England. Have you felt the need to talk to them about what it might be like on Sunday, but not just Sunday, for the rest of the season >> viewing the