Luis Enrique says City deserved trophies won on pitch

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique says Manchester City deserve the trophies they won on the pitch, despite an independent commission finding the club guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules.

Speaking before PSG’s Champions League match at City on Wednesday, Luis Enrique said he hoped the English side would avoid sanctions. City have appealed the verdict and deny any wrongdoing.

City appeal financial rules verdict

The independent commission found City guilty on over 100 charges relating to the period between 2009 and 2018. The club face severe sanctions, including possible relegation from England’s top flight, while there has been speculation that titles won during that period could be stripped.

Luis Enrique drew a distinction between the case and what City achieved in matches. “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 at his pre-match press conference.

“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.”

Guardiola set for Etihad return

Wednesday’s fixture also brings Pep Guardiola back to the Etihad. The former City boss left the club in May and is a close friend and former Barcelona teammate of Luis Enrique.

Enzo Maresca has won all eight of his matches in all competitions since succeeding Guardiola at City. That start has set up an early meeting with PSG, but Luis Enrique rejected the suggestion that the result would establish either side’s level for the months ahead.

What Wednesday’s match can show

“January is when you can really see the team’s level,” Luis Enrique said. “Five or six months down the line, things are so different. Many teams change.”

He nevertheless called the Champions League meeting “an interesting match at this stage, a fun one to watch.”