Jamie Carragher shares what Man City players said about the 115 charges verdict and talks about a ‘furious’ Kevin De Bruyne reaction.
Jamie Carragher has said that Manchester City’s titles should be taken away and shared some interesting thoughts about what the club’s players told him regarding the 115-charge decision.
On Friday (September 25), it was reported that an independent commission found Man City guilty of all but one of the 115 charges brought against them by the Premier League. The league confirmed this verdict on Monday (September 29), saying City broke financial rules between 2008/09 and 2017/18 by making “fake contracts” and using “fake agreements” to boost their income and lower costs.
What punishment Manchester City might face isn’t clear yet, but it could include losing points, a fine, having titles taken away, or even being kicked out of the league.
Carragher, the former Liverpool captain turned pundit, thinks the Premier League should come down hard on City. He said their titles should be stripped and their owners removed.
“I do think Manchester City’s titles or trophies won during this time should be taken off them,” Carragher told Sky Sports on Wednesday morning (September 30).
He added, “With what we’re learning now, I don’t know how the owners can stay in English football. We talk about owners being fit and proper, but what they did over 10 years leaves a stain. It all started because they didn’t like being told no.
“When you hear statements like the one from CEO Ferran Soriano last night, it’s unbelievable. They have so much money and power that no one dares to say no to them. Until they leave, I don’t see how this stain will go away.
“City will keep playing well and have great teams, but I don’t see how the owners can stay after this and their response to it. How can they be shocked? The evidence is clear — if they have proof, they should show it.”
Carragher also talked about how City’s current and former players must be feeling. He said he’d be furious if his career was seen this way.
“As a team, what they did is wrong,” he said. “The Premier League called it a sham five times in their statement. But some players are defending the club, which is normal. It must be hard for them to see all this and feel like their careers might have an asterisk or be called a sham.
“I think of Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best players I’ve ever seen. He could’ve played anywhere but chose City. Maybe part of his choice was the wages, which might have been inflated because of the club’s situation.
“But if at the end of his career, people look at his 10 years at City and see it as a sham — that would make me furious. It’s unfair to have your career judged like that because of what’s going on off the pitch.”
The 48-year-old also shared that he’s spoken with some City players who had been told by the club that everything was okay.
“I’ve talked to a few players, and they were told ‘everything is fine’ by the club. They said the club won’t be punished. It’s different from talking about Liverpool or Man United players who might now win titles instead.
“But I’ve been thinking about how the City players feel. The club’s recent statements are almost gaslighting their players, ex-players, and fans. People want to believe them because they have close ties. But the longer this goes on, the more support will fade, and frustration will grow about how their careers are seen.”
The Premier League said City arranged secret funding deals worth over £830 million with commercial partners. “The sponsorship agreements were either fake or didn’t reflect their true value,” the commission said.
City deny breaking any rules and say they have “a strong and clear set of evidence” to back their case.
In a statement on Monday, the club said: “Manchester City FC is disappointed and surprised by the Premier League Commission’s opinion published today.
“The club denies these accusations and has solid evidence to support all its positions. We will continue to fight this in all legal and regulatory ways.
“The Premier League process is not finished yet. The club has followed the process for eight years, trusting the Premier League would be fair and impartial.
“We can’t say more until all proceedings are complete.”
The club has until October 2 to appeal the decision.