Manchester City’s manager, Enzo Maresca, posted a cryptic message on social media saying “I know nothing” after the club was found guilty of nearly all charges of breaking Premier League financial rules.
On Friday, news broke that City had been found guilty of almost all of the more than 100 charges brought by the Premier League in February 2023, prompting reactions from people connected to the club. City have always denied all charges and are expected to appeal.
Noel Gallagher of Oasis, a longtime City fan, described his shock at the news, while former club chair David Bernstein said “money is not sufficient” as a potential punishment. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy called the case unsettling for football fans and hoped for a quick resolution.
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On Saturday morning, Maresca was asked whether he was seeking reassurance from the club about their continued stance of innocence. His representatives sent the Guardian a screenshot of a quote by the Greek philosopher Socrates that Maresca posted on Instagram.
The quote reads: “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” Maresca also wrote: “Time to breathe. Time to analyse. Time to learn.”
On the Let Me Talk podcast, Gallagher said: “A little surprised when I heard it on the radio. Surprised because the club have assured us all along that they vehemently denied any of these charges.
“So it was a bit of a shock to find out that we’ve been found guilty of all but one. But really just quite sad. Sad for the fans and for the players.”
Noel Gallagher, a longtime Manchester City fan, is “sad for the fans and for the players.” Photograph: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images
Asked if it changes the context of moments like Sergio Agüero’s title-winning goal in 2012, Gallagher said: “Our focus as fans is always on the pitch and we know what we saw.
“Whatever goes on in the boardroom, it’s nothing to do with the supporters or the players. The players won that game and won that title on the pitch. Whether some of those players should have been there or not, that’s nothing to do with the fans.
“Does it taint it? I suppose in the eyes of everybody else in England it would, but I know what I saw and I know what I felt.”
Bernstein, City’s chair from 1998-2003, told Times Radio: “I felt absolutely awful, I felt in shock yesterday. You’ve asked me on the programme because of my time as chair of City and the FA, but basically I’m a fan of Manchester City and have been a fan for 70 years.
“When I was chair I think I helped get the club out of a very difficult period and started the road to better things. But to see all this tarnished in this way is very sad.
“I feel particularly bad for the wonderful supporters of the club who’ve stayed with the club through thick and thin. It’s a pretty bad day for the fans in blue of Manchester.”
As for the correct punishment, Bernstein said: “First of all, the timing is crucial. This whole process has taken too long already. So the appeal process has to be done quickly because you’ve got the club playing with this cloud over its head and it’s just not viable.
“The appeal process cannot go on for year after year, that would be a disaster. Not just for this particular case, but for English football generally.
“I can’t give a view on the punishment. If they are found, after the appeal, guilty of 115 charges, my beloved club is going to face a very severe penalty. All I would say is that money is not sufficient, it wo”It would have to be something more drastic than that, unfortunately.”
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Nandy said: “Most football fans will feel this is not a good moment for football as a whole, and Manchester City fans will be very anxious about what happens next. This is a really long-standing investigation, dating all the way back to allegations that begin in 2009.
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“Football fans need to know the rules are applied fairly and consistently, that they are upheld, and that the right decision has been reached. We still have a way to go with this. It’s very unsettling for football fans, and I hope it can be resolved as swiftly as possible.”
Nigel Huddleston, who was shadow secretary of state for culture from 2025 to 2026, stated on X: “Whatever the next steps are, they must be conducted in an accelerated and more transparent manner, or risk further damage to the reputation and integrity of English football and more unnecessary anxiety for millions of football fans.”
A City spokesperson said on Friday: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Enzo Marescas I Know Nothing Message After Manchester Citys Verdict
1 What happened with Enzo Maresca and Manchester City
Manchester City were found guilty in a case and after the verdict Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reportedly posted a message saying I know nothing
2 Who is Enzo Maresca
Hes a football manager currently in charge of Chelsea He previously worked as an assistant coach at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola
3 What did Maresca actually say
He posted a short message saying I know nothing widely seen as him distancing himself from the Manchester City situation
4 Why would he say I know nothing
Because he used to work at Manchester City reporters asked him about the verdict His message suggests he doesnt want to comment or be dragged into the controversy
5 When did he post this message
Right after Manchester Citys guilty verdict was announced when media attention on the case was at its peak
6 Was he accused of anything
No Theres no indication Maresca himself did anything wrong He was just connected to City through his past job there
7 Why does his opinion matter
Because he worked at City people assumed he might know inside details His refusal to comment made headlines
8 What does I know nothing mean in this context
Its a way of saying Dont ask me Im not involved and I have nothing to share
9 Did he say anything else
Reports suggest the message was brief and he didnt elaborate further
10 How did fans react
Reactions were mixed Some found it funny or dismissive others wanted a more serious response given his City connections
11 Is this a legal statement or just a personal comment
It appears to be a personal comment not a formal legal statement
12 Could he get in trouble for saying this
Unlikely Its not an admission of anything if anything it avoids commenting on the case
13 What is Manchester Citys guilty verdict about
It relates to charges over financial rule breaches The verdict found the club guilty of wrongdoing
14 What does this mean for Manchester City
They
