Manchester City guilty verdict has prompted reactions from manager Enzo Maresca, musician Noel Gallagher, former club chairman David Bernstein and senior British politicians as the long-running Premier League case enters another crucial stage.
Manchester City were found guilty on virtually all of the more than 100 financial-rule charges brought against the club by the Premier League, although the club has consistently denied the allegations and is expected to appeal the findings.
The verdict, announced on Friday, brought renewed attention to an investigation that has lasted for years and concerns alleged breaches dating back to 2009.
Maresca responds with cryptic message
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca appeared to respond to the development with a cryptic message on social media.
The Italian posted a quotation attributed to the Greek philosopher Socrates: “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”
Maresca accompanied the quotation with his own message: “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
The post came shortly after the findings against Manchester City became public, although Maresca did not explicitly state that his message was a direct response to the verdict.
The development has nevertheless placed renewed attention on the implications of the case for the club, its supporters and the wider Premier League.
Manchester City maintain their position
Manchester City have consistently denied the charges and have maintained that they have respected the legal and regulatory process.
A club spokesperson said: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.”
The spokesperson added that the club’s position “remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.”
Manchester City also said the club had “diligently respected due process for eight years”, while arguing that the Premier League board and executive should operate as an “independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
The club is expected to continue through the appeal process before any final consequences can be determined.
Noel Gallagher reacts to the verdict
Manchester City supporter and musician Noel Gallagher said he was shocked by the news, particularly because the club had repeatedly denied the allegations.
Speaking on Let Me Talk, Gallagher said: “A little surprised when I heard it on the radio. Surprised because the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges.”
He added: “So it was a bit of a shock to find out that we’ve been found guilty of all but one. But really just quite sad. Sad for the fans and for the players.”
Gallagher was also asked whether the findings changed his view of Manchester City’s dramatic 2012 Premier League title victory, secured by Sergio Agüero’s famous stoppage-time goal against Queens Park Rangers.
He said: “Our focus as fans is always on the pitch and we know what we saw. Whatever goes on in the boardroom, it’s nothing to do with the supporters or the players.”
Gallagher continued: “The players won that game and won that title on the pitch. Whether some of those players should have been there or not, that’s nothing to do with the fans.”
On whether the findings tainted the achievement, he said: “I suppose in the eyes of everybody else in England it would, but I know what I saw and I know what I felt.”
David Bernstein calls for serious consequences
Former Manchester City chairman David Bernstein also described the development as deeply troubling.
Bernstein said: “I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday.”
He stressed his long-standing connection with the club, saying: “I’m a fan of Manchester City and have been a fan for 70 years.”
Bernstein also described the situation as “a pretty bad day for the fans in blue of Manchester.”
Attention is now turning towards what could happen if Manchester City’s appeal does not overturn the findings.
Bernstein warned that the appeal process must not drag on indefinitely, saying: “The appeal process cannot go on for year after year, that would be a disaster. Not just for this particular case, but for English football generally.”
He declined to specify what punishment Manchester City should receive, but said any eventual sanction would need to reflect the seriousness of the findings if the charges ultimately stand.
“I can’t give a view on the punishment. If they are found, after the appeal, guilty of 115 charges, my beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty,” Bernstein said.
He added: “All I would say is that money is not sufficient, it would have to be something, unfortunately, more drastic than that.”
Government figures demand a swift resolution
The Manchester City case has also attracted political attention, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy saying the findings had created uncertainty for supporters.
Nandy said: “Most football fans will be feeling this is not a good moment for football as a whole and Manchester City fans will be feeling very anxious about what happens next.”
Read more: Man city guilty of financial fair play breaches as club faces possible points deduction or expulsion
She also highlighted the length of the investigation, saying: “This is a really longstanding investigation, it dates all the way back to allegations that begin in 2009.”
Nandy said supporters need confidence that football’s rules are applied fairly and consistently, while also calling for the matter to reach a resolution.
Conservative politician Nigel Huddleston separately called for the process to be accelerated and made more transparent.
The comments reflect the growing focus on what happens next rather than simply on Friday’s announcement.
What happens after the Manchester City findings?
The Manchester City financial charges remain subject to the next stages of the regulatory and appeal process.
The findings do not by themselves establish what final sporting or financial sanctions Manchester City will face. Any consequences will depend on the completion of the process and the outcome of any appeal.
That distinction is particularly important because Manchester City have maintained their denial of the allegations throughout the investigation.
The case has already become one of the longest-running and most consequential regulatory disputes involving an English Premier League club.
For supporters, players and officials, the immediate focus will therefore be on the appeal and on how quickly the remaining stages of the process can be completed.
The Premier League financial investigation has also generated wider debate about financial regulation, competitive balance and the mechanisms available to football authorities when allegations involve a major club.
For Manchester City, however, the central issue remains whether the findings ultimately survive the remaining stages of the process.
Maresca’s cryptic “I know nothing” message has added another layer to the reaction, while Gallagher and Bernstein have highlighted the emotional impact on supporters.
Until the appeal process is concluded, the full sporting consequences of the Manchester City guilty verdict remain unresolved.
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