A rival manager publicly backing Manchester City on the eve of a European tie is not what English football expected amid the biggest financial scandal in Premier League history. Yet that is where Luis Enrique planted himself on Tuesday, less than 24 hours before kick-off at the Etihad.
The Spaniard was asked at his pre-match press conference about the independent commission’s verdict against City. He did not hedge.
“I think what they’ve done on the pitch has been incredible over the last few years and I think they certainly deserve to win on the pitch all the trophies that they have won,” he said.
“I think the trophies that you win on the pitch remains on the pitch and they deserve to win. I hope they can avoid that sanction, that’s what I feel.”
Read also: Bayern Munich boss launches furious attack after Olise red card: “He played like a scumbag”
The sanction he hopes City avoid is the one that has dominated the English football debate since the verdict landed: the stripping of titles won in the years the commission has now ruled against the club.
City’s appeal lodged within 48 hours
The independent commission delivered its guilty verdict on 29 September 2026, finding City in breach of Premier League financial rules across the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons. The club lodged its appeal two days later.
Sanctions have not yet been handed down. They are a separate hearing, with no date set, and the options on the table range from a fine to points deductions, transfer restrictions and, at the far end, relegation. City have said they will appeal every element of the ruling and deny wrongdoing.
The club remain Premier League leaders this season and won their opening Champions League league-phase game under Enzo Maresca, who took over from Pep Guardiola in the summer.
Read also: Champions League final pitch invader’s life takes remarkable turn seven years later
Luis Enrique frames it as sporting merit
Luis Enrique framed his remarks around sporting merit rather than legal process, telling reporters he was speaking only about what he had seen on the pitch.
“If I only speak about football, about what I saw on the pitch, I think they deserved their trophy, I like what they offered on the pitch.”
“It’s a lot of noise around big clubs. We will have to wait for the final decision of the person who is going to decide that.”
The PSG head coach and Guardiola were teammates at Barcelona in the 1990s, and the two have retained a close relationship across their coaching careers.
Read also: Chelsea could pay heavy price for overlooked detail in Alejandro Garnacho deal
PSG arrive with City’s sanctions still pending
Kick-off at the Etihad is at 8pm local time on Wednesday, the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. PSG arrive as reigning European champions; City as a club waiting to find out what the Premier League will do to them next.
Sanctions for the breaches, according to analysis of the appeal process, are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead, with the appeal board hearing to follow if City contest whatever is handed down.
Read also: Gianni Infantino under fire over FIFA’s $4 million Trump Tower deal
