City Stars Question Futures as Appeal Looms

Manchester City's players have spent the past ten days doing something they rarely do: asking questions they can't answer. According to a detailed report from MailSport's Jack Gaughan, some members of the first-team squad have been in regular contact with their representatives, posing what are described as 'often unanswerable questions'. The cause, of course, is the independent commission's findings into the 115 charges — findings that landed three weeks ago and confirmed City had been found guilty of almost all of them.

The Premier League's statement pointed to artificially inflated commercial revenues between 2009 and 2018, with figures in the region of £830 million mentioned. City have insisted on their innocence throughout and lodged a 'comprehensive appeal' almost immediately.

For the players, though, the appeal is a legal process. The uncertainty is personal.

Sources close to the squad suggest no two people are digesting the situation in the same way. Some are defiant — talking about winning the Premier League title, with no thoughts of bailing out. Others are described as 'more nervous'.

Agents, inevitably, have been discussing 'just cause' provisions in contracts — the options held by both club and player — and whether a punishment severe enough to mean relegation might give grounds to 'rip up' deals. For now, representatives are stressing a 'wait-and-see' approach ahead of the appeal.

City's response has been led by CEO Ferran Soriano, who told staff in a video message that the "whole Premier League case against us is based on a single false accusation". He added that "irrefutable evidence has been provided to the Premier League commission that shows it could not happen and that it did not happen".

Maresca Relaxed as Anfield Looms

Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, is cutting a 'relaxed figure' around Cheshire, according to those who know him. The City manager is said to have remarked, with a smile, that "All I can do is the football."

That approach will be tested on Sunday when City travel to Anfield. The first-team squad are expected back in training on Thursday, with Maresca set to address the group as a collective from the City Football Academy.

Merseyside Police are insisting on an "appropriate" strategy for the welcome of Maresca's side and the team coach, with Liverpool fans organising a 'Bus Greeting' on social media two hours before kick-off.

For City, the football provides a distraction. Whether it provides answers is another matter.