PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) manager Luis Enrique believes Manchester City deserved to win the trophy they won and should be allowed to keep it, despite the English club facing possible punishment after being found to have breached the Premier League’s financial regulations.

The Premier League has accused City of using “fake” commercial contracts as part of a plan to boost revenue and reduce reported costs by more than 900 million pounds.

City, which has denied any wrongdoing and has appealed the decision, faces possible punishments ranging from fines and points deductions to relegation to a lower division and the stripping of the title it won.

Asked about the decision ahead of PSG’s Champions League clash with City, Luis Enrique said: “The first thing when you hear the news is that it’s a shock. But I think we have to respect the process and wait for the final decision.

“There are authorities responsible for making that decision and we have to wait. However, if I’m just talking about football and what I’ve seen on the pitch, Manchester City definitely deserve to win the trophy.

“I like the way they play football. After that, we have to wait for the final result and there is nothing else that can be done.

“I think trophies won on the pitch should remain with the team that won them, and they deserve it. I hope they can avoid that punishment.”

City will welcome PSG to the Etihad Stadium early tomorrow morning.

LIVERPOOL: Manchester City’s first match since being embroiled in controversy for breaching Premier League (EPL) financial regulations ended in a draw when they defeated Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield.

Enzo Maresca’s squad once again widened the three-point gap at the top of the league table with a spirited performance, although the club is now facing a ‘season in turmoil’ while awaiting the outcome of an appeal regarding the potential for severe punishment including expulsion or points deduction.

Liverpool fans clearly wasted no time in expressing their dissatisfaction before and throughout the match with repeated chants of ‘fraudsters’.

However, City, who consistently denied the accusation, responded to all provocations on the pitch with tactical discipline that restrained the home team, before tearing apart The Reds’ defence after Liverpool played with 10 men following Ryan Gravenberch’s red card.

Erling Haaland broke the deadlock with a stunning strike in the 65th minute, before substitute Jeremy Doku scored the second goal three minutes later with a beautiful curling shot into the top corner.

City’s dominance was sealed in the final minutes when Rayan Cherki displayed a stunning solo run to make it 3-0, comfortably defeating the home side.

LONDON: Liverpool have reportedly contacted Kylian Mbappe’s agent about bringing the Real Madrid striker to Anfield in 2027.

According to Spanish journalist Francois Gallardo, Liverpool have held talks with Mbappe’s mother and agent, Fayza Lamari, in recent weeks.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

The French striker has now scored 94 goals and provided 14 assists in 111 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions.

However, despite his impressive scoring record, Mbappe has yet to help Real Madrid win LaLiga or the Champions League in the last two seasons.

In fact, questions have arisen regarding Mbappe’s compatibility with Vinicius Junior in Real Madrid’s starting line-up.

Mbappe, who helped France win the 2018 World Cup, still has a contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2029.

However, Gallardo claims Liverpool want to sign the 27-year-old in 2027.

“Several Premier League clubs are interested in Kylian Mbappe, but the player’s priority is Liverpool.

“They have been in contact with Fayza Lamari in recent weeks. The player does not feel loved or supported in the Real Madrid dressing room and the situation makes her uncomfortable.

“The transfer fee is estimated to be between 200 million and 250 million euros,” he told a news portal in Spain.

If Liverpool pay Real Madrid 250 million euros for Mbappe, that amount would make him the most expensive player in football history.

The current world transfer record still belongs to Neymar after the Brazilian player moved from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 for 222 million euros.

Gallardo also claimed that Mbappe has already decided to leave Real Madrid in the summer of 2027 and the club will not stop him.

“World exclusive, Kylian Mbappe is angry and disappointed with Real Madrid. He has already decided to leave the club in the summer of 2027 and Real Madrid will not stop him. His next destination is the English Premier League,” he wrote on the X account.

Gallardo also claimed that Real Madrid are planning to sign Bayern Munich player Michael Oliseh if Mbappe leaves the club to join Liverpool in 2027.

BARCELONA: Barcelona captain Raphinha has been named LaLiga Player of the Month for September after continuing his excellent form at the start of the season.

The Brazilian previously won the same award for August and won it again after scoring against Valencia, creating two assists against Levante and taking home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in wins over Racing and Sevilla.

The recognition adds to Raphinha’s achievements following his excellent performance with Hansi Flick’s squad after experiencing a role change in the summer and now playing in the number nine position.

The Brazil international beat off competition from Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, Atletico’s Jonathan David, Rayo’s Sergio Camello and Elche’s Fer Nino to win the award for September.

Raphinha then suffered an injury and may be rested for Barcelona’s next match against Getafe, thus giving other players the opportunity to make an early move in the race for the LaLiga Player of the Year award next month.

LONDON: Manchester City should be expelled from the Premier League (EPL) after being found guilty of breaching financial regulations, the club’s former chairman, David Bernstein, has said.

City were found to have arranged ‘fake’ contracts with several commercial partners to ‘increase the club’s income and reduce costs over a period of nine seasons between 2009 and 2018.

The scheme concealed their true financial position and allowed City to avoid breaching spending limits set by the EPL and UEFA.

The independent commission also found the club guilty of the majority of charges relating to their failure to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

However, no punishment has been imposed so far and City, which has the support of Abu Dhabi, said they would appeal the decision.

But Bernstein, who was City’s chairman from 1998 to 2003, believes the Etihad Stadium-based club deserves the harshest punishment.

“It was completely unexpected. The first thing I thought was, should the board of directors continue to work? Should the individuals involved be suspended immediately?

“It’s very serious. I think it’s really bad. There’s a view among lawyers that the approach is to deny, deny and keep denying, but this is a football club that is part of the league and the whole credibility of the league is now at stake.

“The punishment cannot be just financial, so it has to be much more severe than that. If the appeal fails, Manchester City cannot stay in the league, they must accept the consequences. And I say that as a supporter and a fan,” Bernstein told the BBC.