Roy Keane has said Manchester City players should “stick their Premier League medals in the bin” after the club was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. The Premier League confirmed on Tuesday that an independent commission found City guilty of all financial charges against them.
The panel found that City breached regulations over nine years between 2009 and 2018, with the club originally charged in 2023. It is understood that the East Manchester club will appeal the verdict. City, who have always denied any wrongdoing, now face a nervous wait for their punishment.
Possible sanctions and Keane's reaction
Speculation is growing over whether City could be stripped of titles from the period they were found to have breached top-flight rules. Relegation, a huge points deduction and possibly a fine are also on the cards, with a panel set to decide their fate – the outcome of which will depend on an appeal.
Speaking to ITV after England’s win over Czechia on Tuesday night, Keane said: “They knew it would hurt a lot of people, but they still did it. And if I was a player with the success of the last few years – I’d 100 per cent be sticking those medals in the bin.”
Players who would lose medals
If Keane’s words came to fruition, Premier League legends including Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne would throw away some of their prized possessions. Below is a look at every City player from the past who would wave goodbye to their Premier League medals if Keane got his wish.
2011/12 (89 points) – City’s most famous title win. The Blues claimed Premier League glory for the first time in their history with a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Sergio Aguero against Queens Park Rangers. The final-day victory came at the expense of bitter rivals Manchester United, who missed out on top-flight glory to Roberto Mancini’s team on goal difference. The team featured a legendary spine of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aguero.
Players in that squad included Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Micah Richards, Aleksandar Kolarov, Stefan Savic, Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany, Gael Clichy, Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong, James Milner, Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, Adam Johnson, David Silva, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli.
2013/14 (86 points) – City were involved in one of the most fiercely contested title races ever. The 13/14 campaign saw a three-way fight between Manuel Pellegrini’s side, Liverpool and Chelsea. The campaign was made famous for Steven Gerrard’s error during the Reds’ damaging defeat at home to Chelsea, which saw a first Premier League crown slip from their grasp. City claimed glory by finishing two points clear of Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, with Chelsea four points behind in third.
That squad included Joe Hart, Costel Pantilimon, Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure, Martin Demichelis, Matija Nastasic, Vincent Kompany, James Milner, Yaya Toure, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell, Fernandinho, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic.
2017/18 (100 points) – Pep Guardiola oversaw his first Premier League title win in dominant fashion. City became the first team in English top-flight history to win the title with 100 points. The Blues finished 19 points clear of second-placed United, with De Bruyne the catalyst for a side which lost just twice and scored an astonishing 106 goals.
Players in that squad included Ederson, Kyle Walker, Danilo, Vincent Kompany, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy, Nicolas Otamendi, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ilkay Gundogan, Fabian Delph, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus.
