At the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City’s Champions League meeting providing the backdrop, Luis Enrique offered an unusually supportive voice for a club facing intense scrutiny far beyond the pitch. The Spanish coach said City’s achievements under Pep Guardiola should be judged separately from the financial case that now hangs over the English champions.
City await the final legal outcome
Manchester City have appealed after being found guilty of 114 financial irregularities connected to more than €900 million in income. The case has left the club with few public allies in England, where rival voices have called for severe punishment and, in some cases, compensation.
- The proceedings concern 114 financial breaches.
- The irregularities involve revenues exceeding €900 million.
- City have already lodged an appeal against the decision.
- Potential sanctions and compensation claims have become a major subject around the club.
Against that atmosphere, Luis Enrique’s comments stood out. He acknowledged that a final ruling is still required, but said he hopes the eventual outcome does not bring punishment for City.
Luis Enrique separates football from the case
The former Spain and Barcelona coach insisted that trophies won through performances on the field should remain attached to what happened in matches. In his view, City earned the honours they collected during Guardiola’s seven-year period in Manchester.
“The titles contested on the pitch belong on the pitch,” Luis Enrique said. “They deserved to win them. I hope they can avoid a sanction, although we have to wait.”
He said the debate around leading clubs often produces considerable noise, and argued that nobody should rush ahead of the final decision from those responsible for judging the case.
- Luis Enrique described City’s football over the last seven years as “incredible”.
- He said every trophy won by the club had been deserved on sporting grounds.
- He repeated that the judges’ conclusion must be awaited.
- His stance reflected his long-standing respect for Guardiola, his friend and City’s manager.
“If I speak only about football and what I have seen on the field, Manchester City deserved those trophies,” he added. “I liked their way of playing very much. We must wait for the decision.”
