Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules, prompting strong reactions from football pundits and fans. The club maintains its innocence ahead of an appeal, but the verdict has already sparked widespread commentary.
On Tuesday, the Premier League announced that the Independent Commission ruled City overstated their commercial revenue by more than £800million. Penalties, which can range from a fine to a points deduction or alternative sporting sanctions, will be decided in a separate hearing.
City claims that 'irrefutable evidence' has been disregarded and says it will explore every option to clear its name. In correspondence to employees, CEO Ferran Soriano dismissed the notion that commercial income originated directly from their owner as a conspiracy theory.
Pundit Reactions
Micah Richards, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, said he felt "absolutely devastated" upon hearing the reports. "I saw the words that were used by the Premier League...'sham contracts'," he said. "I had been at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club... I achieved my dream at Man City but then to hear these reports and not only me as an ex-player but the fans what they have to go through, absolutely devastated."
Richards described a phone call from his "digs man," a supporter of 60-odd years, who was "literally in tears" and seeking information. "The uncertainty around it is just heartbreaking," he added.
Roy Keane, speaking on ITV, said: "They knew it would hurt a lot of people, and they still done it. And if I was a player with that bit of success and praise that we've given a lot of credit for - but if I was a player I'd be 100% sticking them medals in the bin." Asked if he'd feel betrayed as a player, he responded: "Oh 100% of course, of course you would. It's cheating."
Owners Under Scrutiny
Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, said: "The club are going to get punished. For me, this is all about the owners. I don't know how the owners can continue in English football." He added: "This all starts with Manchester City and it starts because they do not like the word 'no'... Until they move away from the club, I don't know how this stain is ever removed from the club."
Alan Shearer described the situation as "a complete and utter mess," questioning the wider ramifications. "I look at their success, clearly they have to wait for sanctions to come out, then do they appeal?" He noted that the famous Sergio Aguero moment could be "blown apart" if City are ultimately found guilty.
Ian Wright called for an "unprecedented punishment," describing the actions as "cheating on an industrial scale." He also noted the timing of City's next fixture against Liverpool, saying: "In their real time, Liverpool were the team chasing them down. Look at what Jurgen Klopp went through to break them - it probably broke him."
