What if Manchester City have trophies stripped and titles reassigned? | OneFootball

Manchester City have been found guilty on almost all Premier League financial charges, raising the prospect of stripped and reassigned trophies, NY Times reports. Between 2011 and 2026 City collected 26 honours, including four Community Shields and a UEFA Super Cup.

Sanctions have not been confirmed, with points deductions, fines and relegation mooted. Returning silverware still feels far-fetched, and whether any action would be limited to the Premier League remains unclear. Italy provides precedent, with Inter awarded the 2006 title after Juventus were punished in Calciopoli.

City are fourth in the all-time list with 10 top-flight titles, eight in the past 15 seasons. Removing those eight would drop them to joint-15th, below Blackburn, Huddersfield and Wolves on three apiece, level with Portsmouth, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur.

If runners-up inherited those leagues, the winners would be Manchester United in 2012, 2018 and 2021, Liverpool in 2014, 2019 and 2022, and Arsenal in 2023 and 2024. Cup reassignments could include Stoke 2011 and Watford 2019 in the FA Cup, plus Sunderland 2014, Aston Villa 2020 and Spurs 2021 in the League Cup.

History suggests such victories can feel hollow. Inter emphasised fairness over joy, and Roberto Mancini said on-pitch celebration is different, turning it into fuel for a 22 point win over Roma in 2007.

Calls for retrospective honours are growing among runners-up, from Tony Pulis and Jermaine Pennant to former Manchester United players David de Gea and Rio Ferdinand, though some of it is tongue in cheek.

Source: NY Times

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