Former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney has expressed his views on the potential punishment for Manchester City if they are found guilty of breaching financial rules. City have been found guilty of the majority of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League, relating to the period from 2009-10 to 2017-18. Rooney stated that he would not feel comfortable accepting a Premier League medal if City are stripped of their titles and United are awarded them retrospectively.
Rooney's comments came after he spoke on the Stick to United podcast, where he shared his thoughts on the matter. He mentioned that he does not think United deserve to be awarded the title if City are stripped of it, saying that they did not do enough that season to win the league. Rooney also expressed his concerns about the potential impact on the players, stating that they might feel devastated if they had worked hard to win the title, only to have it taken away.
Some of Rooney's former United team-mates, including Rio Ferdinand and David de Gea, have expressed different views on social media, suggesting that they should be awarded retrospective title wins. Former Stoke City boss Tony Pulis also felt "cheated" after his side were beaten by City in the 2011 FA Cup final. However, Rooney emphasized that he is happy with the five Premier League medals he has won and would not want to receive another one for finishing second.
While Rooney is against titles being taken away from City, he does believe they should face severe punishment, including possible relegation. He suggested that City should be relegated to the lowest league possible and face restrictions on their spending for several seasons. Rooney's views on the matter have sparked a debate about the potential consequences for City and the impact on the Premier League.
Other football personalities have also weighed in on the issue. Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino described the situation as a "period of deception" and emphasized that it is impossible to turn back time. Pochettino also questioned the effectiveness of the Premier League's financial controls, citing his own experiences at Southampton and Tottenham.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has also expressed his views on the matter, agreeing with Pochettino that City should face the most severe sanctions possible. Tebas stated that the repeated breaches, denial, and lack of cooperation by City justify the most severe punishment provided for under the Premier League regulations.
The Premier League's decision to charge City with breaching financial rules came after a four-year investigation. The club was referred to an independent commission, which found them guilty of the majority of the charges. City plan to appeal against the decision, but the potential consequences for the club and the Premier League remain to be seen.
Key points
- Rooney does not want Manchester United to be awarded Premier League titles if Manchester City are stripped of them.
- Rooney believes Manchester City should face severe punishment, including possible relegation.
- Other football personalities, including Pochettino and Tebas, have expressed their views on the matter, calling for severe sanctions against City.
