Roy Keane tells Manchester City players to bin medals after guilty verdict | OneFootball

Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Manchester City after the Premier League found them guilty of systemic financial breaches, saying players should throw their medals away.

According to Goal.com, an independent panel that concluded its hearing in December 2024 found City guilty of 114 out of 115 charges spanning a nine-season period.

The ruling said the club used sham commercial agreements to inflate revenue and cut operating costs, distorting their finances by an estimated £900 million. Sponsors were said to have paid only a fraction of fees, with the Abu Dhabi United Group covering the rest to bypass spending limits.

Speaking after England’s Nations League win over Czechia, Keane said: “They knew it would hurt a lot of people but they’ve still done it. If I was a player, I’d be 100 per cent sticking those medals in the bin. Of course you would, it’s cheating. They won it on the pitch because cheating was going on.”

He also questioned how Enzo Maresca and his squad continue under the current ownership. “I think it’s going to be very difficult for the players and the manager, the club, what they stand for, when you’ve got owners who are happy cheating. It’s hard to maintain a level of excellence.”

Ian Wright echoed the criticism, accusing the hierarchy of deceiving players and calling for unprecedented punishment, describing the situation as very messy and a massive day for the league.

City now face a hostile backdrop, beginning with a trip to Liverpool. Wright noted Liverpool were the main challengers in that era and said Jürgen Klopp had to push to the limit to catch City. Maresca must steady the squad with potential sanctions looming.

Source: Goal.com

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