Roy Keane condemns Man City 'cheating' live on ITV after scathing 115 charges verdict statement as players urged to bin medals
Roy Keane gave a strong take after the Premier League confirmed Manchester City were found guilty of all charges related to breaches of the league’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018.
Keane was part of ITV Sport’s broadcasting team for England’s 2-0 win over Czechia in the Nations League on Tuesday (September 29), with the fixture taking place just hours after the Premier League issued an official statement confirming the verdict.
An independent commission found that, during the relevant nine-year period, City arranged what have been described as “sham contracts” and relied on “sham agreements to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce its costs”.
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Roy Keane urges City players to bin Premier League medals over 115 charges
Several former players have waded in with their thoughts, with some suggesting City should be stripped of the three Premier League titles they won between 2009 and 2018, and Keane claiming he’d be “sticking those medals in the bin” if he had played for City during this period.
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The Irishman described the achievements as redundant because of the “cheating” that was going on ahead of England’s Nations League clash.
“They knew it would hurt a lot of people, but they still done it," he claimed.
“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.”
When pressed by host Mark Pougatch on whether he’d feel let down by the football club, Keane added: “100 per cent you would. It’s cheating.
“You’re hearing nonsense from ex-players saying they won on the pitch. But it was cheating. There was cheating going on.
“It’s tough for the players, the manager. You’ve got owners who are quite happy cheating.
“It’s very difficult going forward for these players to maintain the level of excellence.”
Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright provided a similar stance, describing the situation as “terrible”.
“[City owners] have told them that nothing bad’s going on. If you’re a player, something’s not right there," Wright explained.
“It’s unprecedented what we’re seeing right now. But in respect to the owners and what they’ve done.”
Potential punishments include a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, a large fine, a transfer ban and the stripping of titles.
Addressing this in their statement, the Premier League noted: “The issue of sanction will be addressed separately in a further hearing with the independent Commission.
“In accordance with Premier League rules, that hearing will remain private and confidential until such a time as publication of the outcome is permitted.”
City have until October 2 to lodge an appeal against the verdict.
City, owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), deny any wrongdoing and say they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists” to support their position.
Man City release statement maintaining innocence after 115 charges guilty verdict
A statement released by City in response to the Premier League’s original statement read: “Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.
“The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements uncompleted.
“The Club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.
“The Club is obviously restricted in what it can say further until all future proceedings are complete.”
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Topics: Premier League, Roy Keane, Football News
Luke Davies