Roy Keane has said Manchester City's players should feel 'disgusted' by the club's 'dodgy dealings' after an independent commission found them guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them. The club has already submitted an appeal, which will be heard at a separate hearing.
Speaking ahead of City's trip to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, Keane absolved the club's players and supporters of any blame, but insisted the players should feel let down by the club's behaviour during the period covered by the charges.
Keane's verdict on City's stars
“This is nothing against the players or supporters, this is an ownership issue. If you’re going after the big prizes, we’ve been fortunate to pick one or two up. You want to do it honestly,” Keane said.
“You want to look back at your career and think we did everything. You win some games, you lose some games. You can’t be looking back at what Man City have done and found guilty of, I know there’s an appeal. We’ve been sitting here and praising Man City and saying they’re amazing and bringing in amazing players. And Pep turning really good players into superstars.”
Honesty and respect in football
Keane added: “But the way they were doing it, that’s the issue, nothing on the players. If I was a player and there were stories about stuff we were doing at Manchester United, I’d be disgusted. I’d be disgusted if there were any dodgy dealings and anyone cooking the books.”
He continued: “Some people think this is a bit strong, but I wouldn't feel like I've earned a league title if there was something dodgy going on in the background. Absolutely not. We talk about lads going out and giving their all and picking up injuries but that is your job, that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re giving it your all.”
“You just hope everyone is else is on the same page and being honest and everyone else is trying to do it the proper way. I hear a lot of ex-players saying that Man City players gave it their all, we know that. That’s not the issue. But they had unbelievable players on the bench to come on and make them stronger and get them over the line against teams like Liverpool who are pushing each other.”
Keane concluded: “That’s what top-level football is about, we had it with Arsenal. You hope there is honesty. That's where respect comes into the game. We’re footballing people. It’s difficult for us to talk about legal stuff, we play the game because we love it and are passionate about it but you’ve got to also have a bit of honesty.”
