Manchester City held early-stage settlement talks with the Premier League that could have led to a lesser punishment, according to Bloomberg. The discussions ultimately broke down, with the potential settlement having seen City pay a significant fine rather than face the risk of relegation and losing past titles.
The talks fell apart because City consistently proclaimed their innocence, the report adds. They were held well before the Abu Dhabi-backed giants were found guilty by an independent commission.
Appeal against guilty verdict
The club have maintained their innocence and appealed against the verdict after an independent commission found them guilty on 114 of their 115 Premier League charges. This weekend marks the first time domestic top-flight football will be played since the announcement.
Enzo Maresca's team travel to Anfield to face arch-rivals Liverpool this Sunday in a game set for a white-hot atmosphere. There has been plenty of anger towards City off the pitch elsewhere in the Premier League too.
Business as usual at City
Erling Haaland insists the focus remains on winning games as Manchester City prepare to return to action at Liverpool. With uncertainty surrounding the club, Haaland stressed the focus in the dressing room remains the same, with City seeking to maintain their winning momentum under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The Norway striker told Sky Sports: "There's plenty of new players and there are players we need to give time to, even though in football you don't really get time, do you? So, people have to come straight in, perform. There are players that know the league and everything and a new manager as well is always different. But we have to help each other and we have to try to, in the end, just win games."
