According to the latest Telegraph report, Maresca and Manchester City's players are preparing for their away match against Liverpool, but the club's staff are concerned about the reaction from opposing fans.

According to reports, there was a four-day gap between the leak of Manchester City's guilty verdict and the release of the independent panel's findings. This gave City Football Group staff limited time to process the verdict, but they were unable to fully prepare for the harsh tone and content of the panel's ruling.

One staff member told reporters: "What struck me most was the language the panel used to describe the club's conduct. We waited a long time to see how the Premier League's charges would unfold, and various scenarios went through our minds. But I really didn't expect a result like this, and the panel's language was extremely severe. I'm still shocked by it. I think that's what's worrying me."

In its 40-page "principal decision," the panel meticulously detailed the extent of Manchester City's deception, with the word "dishonest" appearing at least eight times to describe the arrangements the club allegedly made under a "fraudulent funding scheme." This included the covert funding of sponsorship deals worth £830 million from owner funds.

However, regardless of how many times this language was repeated, it may have had less impact than the panel's complete rejection of Manchester City's "explanation" (which the panel deliberately emphasized with quotation marks). The panel stated that this explanation was "fabricated after the fact to conceal and obscure the truth of the fraudulent funding scheme."

Manchester City executives had more time to process the verdict than club employees. According to reports, they learned of the news as early as July, yet they were still shocked by the harsh language used in the ruling.

According to sources, at the 33rd European Club Association Congress held in Copenhagen last week—a major gathering where soccer's top decision-makers meet—Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano was described as "forceful but clearly troubled" when he heard the shocking news.

Manchester City's legal team may challenge the panel's characterization of the club's dealings as "dishonest" arrangements in their appeal. The club continues to assert its innocence and claims to possess "overwhelming evidence" to support its position.

But before that, Manchester City employees and City Football Group staff had to contend with the chaos, anger, and fallout from the news. Possible sanctions include expulsion or relegation from the Premier League, as well as substantial point deductions and fines, which could have devastating consequences for the club's revenue and employment.

One staff member said: "I'm not naturally a worrier, but this is impossible to ignore. Everyone is talking about it. You can't help but pay attention to what people are saying and what the media is reporting." While many have expressed concern about the situation, they hope to refrain from discussing it outside their close friends and family until all avenues of appeal are exhausted and all sanctions are announced.

In a video shown to staff after the panel's report was released, Soriano acknowledged that "this might be a bit distracting," but urged employees to "always remain focused on our business and cherish every member of our extended family."

According to the latest financial report as of June 30, 2025, the 12 clubs under City Football Group employ a combined 2,647 staff members (including players), with total wages amounting to £630.5 million. Of these, Manchester City has 670 employees, with 252 in the football operations division and 418 in commercial and administrative roles.

But as people who work at football clubs often say, this is different from employment at other organizations. Many Manchester City employees are also club fans, so they have both personal loyalty and professional commitment.

Since Abu Dhabi's consortium acquisition in 2008, Manchester City has undergone tremendous transformation, with many employees playing a part in this journey over the years. During this time, many have deepened their trust in and loyalty to the club.

Many employees have not forgotten the club's support during difficult times. Manchester City was the first Premier League club to announce it would not furlough non-playing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Guardiola himself cited this point last season when asked why he loves the club so much.

Critics might argue that none of this would have been possible if the club hadn't hidden its income, as the panel ruled. Several people interviewed by the Telegraph expressed their trust in Manchester City Chairman Haldane Al Mubarak. Days before the panel's report was released, Al Mubarak wrote to fans, reiterating his "confidence and determination" to prove the club's innocence, stating that he remained "unwavering" as when the matter began.

Some recalled that in February 2020, UEFA banned Manchester City from the Champions League for two years, but five months later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the sanction. One staff member said: "I remember there were lots of rumors at the time. But the club ultimately proved its innocence."

"They always say things like that, so you can understand why I prefer to wait until the entire process is finished. Of course, I'm worried—it would be strange if I wasn't—but I believed in the chairman then, and I believe in him now."

Others seemed more anxious. "I know what the club is saying, but after reading the reports, how could I not be worried at all?" Even if Manchester City loses its appeal, the club can take legal action in the High Court. "I think this legal battle will drag on for a long time," said another staff member.

Maresca and Manchester City's players are believed to be ready for their match against Liverpool at Anfield (the club's first match following the report's release), though they will face an extremely hostile atmosphere. Staff are concerned about the reaction from Liverpool supporters on match day.

Maresca plans to discuss the verdict with the players when training resumes after the international break on Thursday. Under Maresca (who became Manchester City manager this summer as Guardiola's successor), nearly 80% of the first-team squad were signed after the Premier League first charged Manchester City with over 100 breaches of financial regulations.

While the average age of outfield players is 24 to 25, and many are accustomed to high-pressure environments, the environment they will face in the coming weeks and months could be extremely challenging.

While club executives may be urging players and staff to maintain a "business as usual" mindset, for a club that has weathered numerous storms over the past decade, this remains an unprecedented period.

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