Man City face a hostile Anfield on Sunday when the Premier League leaders play bitter rivals Liverpool in their first game since being found guilty of breaking more than 100 financial rules. In a decision that could have a drastic effect on the future of the Premier League, an independent commission found City and their Emirati owners had arranged “sham” deals to artificially inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018.
The multiple breaches of Premier League laws came during a period in which City won three titles and a clutch of other trophies. During that time Liverpool struggled to break City’s stranglehold on the game in England. City have appealed against the devastating verdict and manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday he was confident they will overturn the original ruling — but said he was urging his players to concentrate on events on the field.
“For me and the players, we can control just the pitch, the football side. We are focused on that. This what we can control. We cannot control something different,” the Italian said. City got an idea of what awaits them when Manchester United fans goaded them during their 1-1 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
As a result of the guilty verdicts, the Premier League season is in a state of stasis awaiting a ruling on the appeal and any potential punishment. “I think the worst thing probably is the uncertainty, that no one knows what’s going to happen,” Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola said on Friday. – ‘No trust now’ – The options range from a heavy points penalty or even expulsion from the English top flight.
There is even speculation City could have titles taken away. “I think they have to be stripped