Joe Hart turned down a live TV spot about the Man City verdict and shared how he feels about losing medals.
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart recently shared why he chose not to appear on American TV after the club was found guilty of breaking Premier League financial rules from 2009 to 2018. He also opened up about how he truly feels about possibly losing his two league winner’s medals.
Hart played 348 games for City between 2006 and 2018, helping the team win two Premier League titles (2012 and 2014), two League Cups (2014 and 2016), and the 2011 FA Cup.
Now, those two league titles might be taken away after an independent commission found City guilty of 114 out of 115 charges from the Premier League. The club is appealing the decision and says they have strong evidence to support their case. A decision on the appeal is expected by late December.
Some former players who finished second to City, like Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, believe they should get the winners’ medals if City loses the titles. But Wayne Rooney disagrees. On Match of the Day 2, he explained that since his team didn’t actually finish first, he wouldn’t want a medal for coming second.
In a recent episode of The Overlap Daily, Hart shared his own thoughts when asked about the situation:
“I was asked about this, and I chose not to go on TV in America because they didn’t want things to get blown out of proportion. They asked what I’d do if my name is connected to two league titles—what could I really do?
“You know me by now—I don’t go around showing off medals. Honestly, I don’t care much about that.
“People have asked me, even family, why does it matter if the medals stay or go? I’m really proud of winning those trophies and the hard work I put in every month, just like everyone else in the Premier League or even Sunday League. Nothing beats having that trophy around your neck.
“But whatever happens in the next few months won’t change how I feel about my career. I don’t see it just in terms of medals and trophies.
“I’m very proud of what I’ve done, but that’s in the past now. Trophies don’t define who I am.
“I’d say the same even if we weren’t discussing this, so let’s wait and see how it all plays out.”