“I feel let down” – Micah Richards speaks out with a strong message to Man City owners after the guilty verdict
Former Manchester City right-back Micah Richards has asked the club’s owners to be open about the recent guilty verdict on City’s financial rule breaches from 2009 to 2018.
Richards was commentating when City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield and said he was “devastated” by the news. City was found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges after an independent review and could face tough punishments like points deductions, suspension, or even losing titles.
City have already appealed the decision and say they have strong evidence to prove their case. On Sky Sports this Sunday (October 11), Richards urged the club’s owners to share this so-called “irrefutable evidence” with the fans.
Richards, who was part of City’s 2011/12 Premier League-winning team, said, “I feel devastated, mainly because of what the fans have had to go through. I grew up with the club, joining the academy at 14. City gave me a huge chance, and I worked hard to make it to the first team.
“My dream was to win the FA Youth Cup — which I missed — but then I won the FA Cup and the Premier League. Now, to have all of that in question is really confusing.
“There are two sides to the story: the charges and City’s claim of strong evidence. It’s a tough spot for me, the fans, and everyone involved.”
Richards also shared that he felt “let down” by how long the process has been dragging on. He called on the club to make the evidence public so fans aren’t left in the dark.
“I want to see it. Fans deserve to know what’s going on,” he said. “As players, we can only give our all on the pitch. I’ve put everything I had—one bad knee and all—into representing City because I love this club.
“Now, I’m being questioned about my integrity and my medals. But I know I gave everything I had, 100%, for City. That’s all I could do as a player.”
The appeal outcome is expected in the next 12 weeks and will be made public within 30 days. City will next play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 14.