Kyle Walker has admitted that Manchester City's 114 Premier League financial charges 'don't look great' and has expressed fears he might have to remove a tattoo commemorating the club's four successive league titles.
The former City defender, now at Burnley, spoke out during an interview on talkSPORT while the club's appeal against an independent panel's guilty verdict continues.
Walker's Reaction to the Charges
Walker maintained that he and his former City teammates simply focused on delivering their best performances while the case unfolded. The current Premier League leaders have lodged an appeal after the panel ruled them guilty of 114 breaches of the league's financial regulations.
The case featured allegations that City artificially boosted their revenue through 'sham' sponsorship agreements. The club have consistently refuted any wrongdoing.
Asked about the charges, Walker said: "It's the big elephant in the room we're probably all going to be asked when doing interviews or whatever."
"It doesn't look great. Let's not hide from the fact they've been found guilty but they're going through an appeal."
"As a player all I can say is all we did is go out and play our best as a team and I'll defend the players for the rest of my life, because I feel what we did and achieved in that time was incredible and probably won't be done ever again."
"But from the outside looking in, it doesn't look great and we have to address that."
Potential Sanctions and Tattoo Concerns
Possible sanctions include a significant fine and a points deduction substantial enough to relegate City to the Championship. The Mail has reported that an additional deduction could follow, potentially leaving them confronting a second campaign in the second tier.
While the EFL would not be compelled to impose that penalty, reports indicate it would do so. Further potential penalties include a transfer ban and being stripped of the titles they secured during the timeframe covered by the financial charges.
The uncertainty surrounding City's honours also casts an uncomfortable spotlight on Walker's tattoo, which bears the words 'four in a row' to commemorate the club's four successive Premier League titles.
Walker's Tattoo Joke
Walker spent eight seasons at the Etihad, claiming 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles. He confirmed on talkSPORT: "[I've got] 'four in a row' tattooed."
Presenter Andy Goldstein then probed: "If they take the medals away have you got a tattoo removal firm ready to take that one?"
Walker replied: "Well I'm probably going to have to do that bit! I'll try and keep it on, but hopefully we don't get things taken away."
Any potential sanctions against City are unlikely to materialise until the appeals process has concluded.
