Roy Keane has accused City of “cheating” and said the club must “take their medicine” after reports that an independent panel found the vast majority of the Premier League’s financial charges against them proven.
The former Manchester United captain made the comments during ITV’s coverage of England’s Nations League game against Spain on Saturday, with Ian Wright also strongly critical of City.
The Premier League has not published the panel’s decision and has declined to comment because the process is confidential. Man City insist the case remains ongoing and continue to deny wrongdoing, with Keane and Wright’s reaction detailed by the Manchester Evening News.
Keane says City ‘chose to cheat’
Keane did not hold back when the subject came up on ITV. He disagreed with Rodri’s response to the reports and said City should now face punishment if the reported findings stand.
“Well it’s about time [the decision was made]. It’s obviously been going on a long time now and I certainly would disagree with Rodri’s messages there. It was the choice of the club, they chose to cheat, and whatever they have won over the last few years, they deserve to be punished.
“Where we start and finish with that, obviously it’s difficult. But they were cheating. Been found guilty of it, they have to take their medicine now. And it was kind of a shock really to be found guilty of…114 of the charges they were found guilty of? Big news it was.”
The Premier League has yet to publish the commission’s findings, while City maintain their position that the process has further to run.
Wright questions City’s titles
Wright, appearing alongside Keane, was similarly critical and questioned how City’s achievements during the period covered by the charges should now be viewed.
The former Arsenal and England striker said: “They’ve cheated. And what they need to do now is, they need to take the titles off them. You know, you have to take the titles off them.”
He went further when discussing what that could mean for supporters of other clubs who finished behind City.
“Even if you give Liverpool or Arsenal the titles, it’s not the same because the moment’s gone. The memories have gone. It’s gone.”
Wright’s comments reflect his own view of what should happen rather than any indication of the sanction that could eventually be imposed. No punishment has been announced.
Khaldoon tells supporters City’s position has not changed
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak addressed supporters in an open letter on Saturday following the reports. He reiterated the club’s confidence in its case and stressed that the process remains unfinished.
“The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the Club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.
“There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment.”
The chairman’s response, covered in the Manchester Evening News, contrasts sharply with the language used by Keane and Wright.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing and said on Friday that “significant elements” of the Premier League process remain to be completed.
City case remains ongoing
The strength of Keane and Wright’s reaction shows how quickly the debate has moved from the reported findings to possible punishment.
That remains ahead of the official process. No sanction has been publicly confirmed, and the Premier League has not published the commission’s judgment. Sky Sports News understands that the process is moving towards the appeal stage.
For City, the immediate position therefore remains unchanged despite the increasingly fierce reaction outside the club: the reported findings are being debated publicly, while the disciplinary process continues in private.
Keane and Wright have made their view of the reports clear. City, through Khaldoon’s letter, have done the same about their intention to continue contesting the case.
What ultimately follows will be determined through that process rather than in an ITV studio.
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