Ahead of PSG–City, Luis Enrique defends the Sky Blues’ titles
On the eve of PSG–Manchester City in the Champions League, Luis Enrique took a stand in favor of the English club, calling for respect for the ongoing procedure and saying their success on the pitch reflects their sporting value.
Key takeaways
- Luis Enrique defended Manchester City and called for respect for the ongoing procedure.
- He said it was appropriate to wait for the final decision of the relevant authority.
- He highlighted City’s quality and argued their titles were earned on merit.
- PSG are preparing to face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday amid the investigation and potential sanctions.
Match sheet
Manchester City 2 – 4 Paris Saint-Germain
· Ligue des champions · League Phase · Etihad Stadium
- 13' Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 15' Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 32' Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 53' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
- 61' Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) — yellow card
- 62' Maghnes Akliouche (Paris Saint-Germain) — goal
- 69' Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain) — yellow card
- 75' Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — goal
Standings Ligue des champions : 1er, 9 pts (3 j.)
As the Champions League showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City approaches, Luis Enrique delivered a forthright message about the situation surrounding the English club. Speaking at his press conference, the PSG coach expressed his support for the Sky Blues, who find themselves at the heart of a storm linked to financial fair play.
Financial Fair Play investigation
After a lengthy investigation, the Premier League said it had found Manchester City guilty of numerous violations committed between 2009 and 2018. The club immediately contested those findings and announced its intention to use every avenue of appeal. The breaches cited open the door to potentially severe sanctions, ranging from substantial fines to a points deduction, with the specter of relegation. These developments have sparked a major controversy in the UK and beyond, where officials and rival clubs denounce a long-term distortion of competition and call for exemplary measures.
Enrique's cautious stance
In this context, Luis Enrique called for caution and respect for the ongoing procedures. The PSG coach said it was appropriate to wait for the final decision of the relevant authority. On a strictly sporting level, he highlighted the quality of football Manchester City have played in recent years, arguing that the titles they have won were earned on merit and reflect the level shown on the pitch. He also expressed surprise at the scale of the revelations while reaffirming the need to let sporting justice run its course.
Sporting merit of City's titles
This stance, running counter to some of the reactions in Europe, could prompt comment in England. Pending the outcome of the process and any potential sanctions, PSG are preparing to face Manchester City this Wednesday in the Champions League, with the ambition of delivering their response on the pitch to a particularly charged off-field backdrop.
PSG vs City ahead of clash
Your questions, our answers
What did Luis Enrique say about Manchester City's titles?
He highlighted the quality of football Manchester City have played in recent years, arguing that the titles they have won were earned on merit and reflect the level shown on the pitch.
What did the Premier League findings say?
The Premier League said it had found Manchester City guilty of numerous violations committed between 2009 and 2018, and the club contested those findings and announced its intention to use every avenue of appeal.
What is PSG's stance ahead of the match?
PSG are preparing to face Manchester City this Wednesday in the Champions League, with the ambition of delivering their response on the pitch to a particularly charged off-field backdrop.