Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney and manager Mauricio Pochettino have commented on the implications of Manchester City being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules.
Key facts
- •Manchester City were found guilty of the majority of 115 charges related to financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
- •Wayne Rooney stated he would not want to be awarded retrospective Premier League titles.
- •Mauricio Pochettino argued that the alleged breaches undermined sporting fairness.
- •Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis expressed feeling cheated regarding the 2011 FA Cup final.
- •Manchester City intends to appeal the tribunal's decision.
Wayne Rooney has stated he would not feel comfortable accepting retrospective Premier League titles if Manchester City are stripped of them following a guilty verdict on financial charges. Meanwhile, former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino described the situation as a period of deception, arguing that the alleged breaches damaged sporting fairness.
Rooney Rejects Retrospective Titles
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney expressed that he does not believe his former team deserves to be awarded titles from seasons where they finished as runners-up to Manchester City. He noted that he would not want to receive a medal 15 years later, emphasizing that he would not feel comfortable accepting an honor for a season where his team did not finish first. His comments contrast with some of his former teammates, such as Rio Ferdinand and David de Gea, who have suggested on social media that they should be awarded the titles.
Pochettino and Pulis on Sporting Fairness
Mauricio Pochettino stated that if the charges are proven, the sport has lived through a period of deception, adding that it is impossible to repair the damage caused to sporting fairness. Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis also expressed frustration, noting that the situation left a sour taste in his mouth. Pulis, whose side lost to Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final, questioned when his club might receive the trophy, though he acknowledged he does not believe titles or trophies will realistically be handed back.
Status of the Legal Case
Manchester City have been found guilty of the majority of 115 charges brought by the Premier League regarding financial conduct between 2009-10 and 2017-18, as well as a failure to cooperate with investigations from 2018 to 2023. While the club plans to appeal the decision, chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has reaffirmed his belief in the club's innocence. Chief executive Ferran Soriano has indicated that the legal process could take years to conclude.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Sport, Sky Sports Football.
