Summary

  • Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca speaking before his side's Champions League match at home to Paris Saint-Germain

  • Former manager Pep Guardiola is expected to attend the match after previously saying he will 'always' be behind the club - Maresca says it's 'still his house'

  • It's the first time City have played at home since they were found guilty of the majority of the Premier League's 115 charges

  • The match comes after a 3-0 Premier League win at Liverpool on Saturday

  • City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal against the findings

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  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:10 BST

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    We've been quite poor in the first half of games recently. PSG could quite easily put us to the sword if we're not careful. Maybe I'll get excited if we're not behind by half time.

    Harry, Manchester

  2. 'We need the perfect game'published at 12:09 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca on his message to the players: "The message for tomorrow night is quite easy, in terms of winning the perfect game because they're the best team in Europe in this moment.

    "They won the last two Champions League so that shows how good they are, so we need the perfect game but at the same time doing our best, I think we can beat them and be happy at the end."

  3. Postpublished at 12:09 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says the Champions League is "so, so important for the club".

    He says he does not how he will feel later in the competition when asked whether or not he expects this to be the club's last appearance in the Champions League for a while.

    "About that, I don't know," he added.

    More to follow.

  4. 'It is still his house'published at 12:05 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Pep Guardiola with Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca on Pep Guardiola attending the match: "I spoke with Pep, as I said a few days ago, after the United game. I didn't speak with him after that. In case he is coming, it is a nice feeling, especially for him, it has been his house for 10 years. It is still his house for what he has done here, I think it is exciting for everyone."

    Maresca added that he did not know Guardiola's exact plans, whether he intended to go into the home dressing room before the game or on to the pitch.

  5. Postpublished at 12:04 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Enzo Maresca dismissed criticism of his players' celebrations at Liverpool, saying his side "won 3-0 at Anfield - what are we supposed to do?"

    More to follow.

  6. Postpublished at 12:03 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca says his players need to produce the perfect game to beat Paris St-Germain.

    He does not know how is side currently compare with PSG.

    Maresca called on the fans to repeat their support he experienced at Anfield on Sunday to help the team.

    More to follow.

  7. 'Nice feeling' with supporterspublished at 12:01 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City supporters hold up inflatable bananasImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca on the supporters: "Excited, as you said it was a nice feeling after the Liverpool game but it is done, it is gone, now focus on tomorrow night and hopefully again at the end of the game we can have a good moment with our fans."

  8. Postpublished at 12:01 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca is in the chair.

    He says he is excited to play in front of the home fans.

    On Pep Guardiola's return, he says it is a nice feeling.

    Full quotes to follow.

  9. Storm clouds over Etihad Stadiumpublished at 11:59 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Weds, 20:00 BST)

    Neil Johnston
    BBC Sport at Joie Stadium

    .

    It's four-seasons-in-one-day kind of weather in Manchester.

    It was tipping it down a little earlier and there were puddles outside the main entrance to Etihad Stadium when I walked past on the way to this news conference.

    Right now, the sun is shining.

    But the storm clouds that have engulfed Manchester City in the past few days are not going away.

    What will Enzo Maresca and Ruben Dias say?

    We're about to find out.

  10. Man City situation can 'create togetherness with the fans'published at 11:59 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Enzo MarescaImage source, Getty Images

    Pep Guardiola's defiant tone has been echoed by his predecessor, current Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca.

    He was asked after Sunday's statement win at Liverpool whether the off-field issues could help galvanise his team:

    "Probably yes, probably no. I don't know. It can create togetherness with the fans. I said during the week, bring the passion, bring the noise and hopefully we can celebrate a win.

    "This is the only thing we can focus on."

  11. Man City restore three-point lead in Premier League with Anfield victorypublished at 11:59 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Players of Manchester City huddle with a banner that reads "all of your stars are fading away" in the backgroundImage source, Getty Images

    It is impossible to say what the Manchester City players are feeling about the club's situation, but in the first game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League's financial regulations they stood up well to a hostile atmosphere inside Anfield before clinching a 3-0 win over Liverpool.

    The Liverpool fans made their feelings known before and during the game with constant "cheat" jibes, but City responded with a measured display before picking the Reds apart after they had been reduced to 10 men when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off.

    Second-half goals quickly followed the red card, with senior stars Erling Haaland, substitute Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki all finding the net.

    Read the full match report here.

  12. 'I love you all' - Guardiola plans Man City return for PSG tiepublished at 11:57 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Pep GuardiolaImage source, Getty Images

    As mentioned, Manchester City's Champions League-winning manager Pep Guardiola has vowed to return to the Etihad Stadium for Wednesday's tie against Paris St-Germain.

    It will be Guardiola's first visit since leaving his position as manager over the summer.

    The Spaniard's planned visit will also be his first appearance at the club since City were found guilty of financial breaches.

    As mentioned, City have been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of the Premier League's financial rules between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons - Guardiola took over as City boss in summer 2016.

    Guardiola posted his support of the club on his social media platforms when the guilty verdict was announced.

    "I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever," he wrote in a social media post.

    "I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano], the players, staff, [manager] Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters.

    "Let me be clear: we will get through this together. I love you all."

  13. Man City's complicated relationship with Europepublished at 11:55 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    One central question for Enzo Maresca when he faces the media today will be how he and his players plan to approach this European campaign, given that it could be the club's last for the foreseeable future?

    Manchester City has had a complicated relationship with the Champions League and Uefa.

    Many City fans still boo the Champions League anthem following a series of incidents that came to a head with a fan protest against Uefa, after 650 CSKA Moscow supporters gained access to the Arena Khimki for their Champions League game in October 2014, despite the Russian club being ordered to play it behind closed doors.

    Uefa's subsequent case against the club for breaching its financial fair play rules, which led to a ban that was ultimately overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, only added further fuel to that fire.

    City, however, have continued to enjoy great success in the Champions League, regularly making the closing stages of the competition and reaching the final on two occasions - losing to Chelsea in 2020-21 before beating Inter Milan for their one and only success in 2022-23.

  14. Uefa may choose to open a disciplinary casepublished at 11:54 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Dale Johnson
    BBC Sport's football issues correspondent

    A Manchester City player holding a Champions League ballImage source, Getty Images

    European football's governing body cannot take any action while the Premier League disciplinary process plays out, but it is understood that potential scenarios are likely to be discussed by the Uefa administration and the Uefa club financial control body (CFCB).

    The Premier League case found Manchester City guilty of five charges of breaching Uefa's profit and sustainability rules.

    Uefa may open a case in accordance with the disciplinary regulations to find a way to remove City's eligibility.

    But this does not provide certainly as City's offences are historical.

    In 2020, City successfully overturned their two-year ban from European club competitions handed down by Uefa.

    Uefa issued the ban after ruling City had committed "serious breaches" of financial fair play regulations between 2012 and 2016 - within the same period as the Premier League's investigation (2009-10 to 2016-17).

    But the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) overturned the ban because the offences were "time-barred" under Uefa's rules.

    If City are not successful in their appeal and win the Champions League, the CFCB will have to find a disciplinary measure to remove the club from next season's competition.

    Yet with City already having won against Uefa through Cas once before, there is the concern they could do so again.

  15. Grounds for refusal? Why would a club be denied a Uefa licence?published at 11:53 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Dale Johnson
    BBC Sport's football issues correspondent

    If a club fulfils all minimum criteria required for admission, the Uefa licence cannot be refused.

    The key reasons a club may fail relate to overdue payables to other teams, players or outstanding tax liabilities.

    Match-fixing convictions within the last 10 years, or an integrity conflict related to multi-club ownership, are considered but would not apply to Manchester City.

    A source added that "licences are awarded on the basis of current financial performance, so the grounds to refuse one are unclear".

    If the verdict is upheld by the appeal board it is likely City will face severe sanctions, which could include heavy points deductions, a large fine and transfer embargoes.

    The sanctioning hearing, which will determine the level of punishment City must face, is yet to be scheduled.

    While a points deduction could rule City out of qualifying for European competition next season by league position, it might still be achieved through cup competitions - the Champions League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup.

  16. No grounds for Man City to be denied a Uefa licencepublished at 11:52 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Dale Johnson
    BBC Sport's football issues correspondent

    BBC Sport has spoken to a number of senior figures within the game who are concerned about the prospect of Manchester City qualifying for the Champions League next season.

    The feeling is that if City do not win their appeal and are therefore handed a strong sanction, then being allowed to compete alongside Europe's elite, and receiving the financial rewards which come with it, would not be acceptable.

    The immediate issue surrounds the Uefa licence, which every club needs in order to play in Europe.

    One source said the issue of City's licence "had been raised" and that a solution "would require the sort of joined up thinking that's been a bit lacking so far".

    The licences are issued by the Football Association, though the process itself is delegated to the Premier League.

    The licences are based upon current information which does not take into account sanctions or breaches related to historical offences.

  17. Postpublished at 11:51 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    The European question is certainly going to be put to Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca.

    It will be interesting to see how he responds to it.

    The question of how to punish Manchester City if their appeal fails, and when those sanctions might be metered out, is a complicated one that could have immediate ramifications for this season's league and cup competitions...

  18. Senior figures worried about Man City being in next season's Champions Leaguepublished at 11:48 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Dale Johnson
    BBC Sport's football issues correspondent

    Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates the UEFA Champions league with the trophyImage source, Getty Images

    One issue that is concerning senior figures within English football is what happens if Manchester City are punished this season but manage to win the Champions League?

    That would mean City could end up playing in the Champions League next season even if they are relegated from the Premier League for breaching financial regulations.

    The scenario centres around the possibility that by winning the Champions League, Enzo Maresca's side would earn qualification for the competition as titleholders - regardless of their status in the English domestic pyramid.

    BBC Sport has been told that there is no automatic mechanism to remove City from a European competition they qualify for on sporting merit.

  19. Man City charges - what happens next?published at 11:46 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    As we know, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges related to inflating sponsorship revenue by £830m by using sham contracts, as well as hiding other expenses worth an additional £90m.

    Without this, the independent commission said, City would have failed the profit and sustainability rules in all nine seasons between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

    City continue to strenuously deny any wrongdoing - calling the outcome a "Premier League conspiracy" - and at the start of this month lodged an appeal against the verdict.

    We now face a waiting game to see how that appeal pans out before any sanctions can be decided.

    What these sanctions might be is open to conjecture, but they could include a huge fine, a transfer embargo and/or a points deduction for one year or over a series of seasons.

    The club could even face immediate expulsion from the Premier League - whether that's at the end of a season or even midway through it.

    Check out the video below, in which a BBC Sport panel discusses the issue of possible sanctions against City...

    Media caption,

    Could Manchester City be expelled from the Premier League?

  20. Postpublished at 11:45 BST

    Man City v Paris St-Germain (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Manchester City

    Just to confirm, Manchester City's news conference is scheduled to start at 12:00 BST, with manager Enzo Maresca and captain Ruben Dias facing the media.