The Paris Saint-Germain manager was speaking at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, ahead of his side’s Champions League meeting with City on Wednesday. It will be City’s first home match since an independent commission delivered its findings in the long-running case.
“I hope everything works out well for Manchester City because I think what they have done on the pitch has been incredible over the last few years and they certainly deserved to win on the pitch all the trophies they have won,” Enrique said.
“Now we have to wait to see what the authorities decide or the judge is going to say.”
An independent commission found City had breached financial rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. The case included findings concerning commercial arrangements and the reporting of revenue, with the commission concluding that more than £830 million had been channelled into the club’s football operations through arrangements it described as sham contracts.
City deny wrongdoing and have appealed the findings. The eventual outcome and any potential sanctions remain subject to the relevant process.
Enrique said the verdict had initially surprised him, but stressed that the authorities must be allowed to reach a final decision.
“The first thing that you hear, it is a surprise, but we need to respect the process and wait for the final decision,” he said.
“The authorities are responsible for making these decisions. But speaking only about football, they deserved those trophies. I love their football. Beyond that, we have to wait for the decision.”
The Spaniard drew a distinction between the legal case and what City have achieved on the pitch, reiterating that he believed their success had been earned through their performances.
“The trophies you win on the pitch remain on the pitch. They deserved to win that and I hope they can avoid the sanction. But we have to wait.”
Enrique’s comments came before a meeting between two of Europe’s leading teams. PSG arrive as defending Champions League winners, while City will be seeking a response to the attention surrounding the verdict with a major European fixture at home.