Gerrard refuses retroactive medals as City face massive FFP fallout

Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool captain, has broken his silence on the Premier League’s decision to find Manchester City guilty of 114 financial‑fair‑play breaches, saying he would not accept a retroactive league medal.

Verdict and financial impact

The independent commission concluded that City committed 114 counts of irregularities between 2009 and 2018, inflating income by roughly £830 million through sham arrangements. The eight‑time champions now await a punishment that could range from demotion to a hefty points deduction or a multi‑year transfer‑window ban.

City continue to plead innocence and, according to a top sports lawyer, could take the fight to the High Court, risking further escalation of any sanction.

Gerrard’s personal reaction

At 46, Gerrard reflected on how the verdict reshapes his career narrative, recalling his famous slip against Chelsea in 2014 that handed the title back to City. “It’s not personal for me in terms of the Man City players, because they’re all outstanding players, they’ve lived the moment, and they deserved to win,” he told The Overlap.

He added that he would not sit down and claim a Premier League medal that never came, saying, “I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ve never won the Premier League.”

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Gerrard also warned that the alleged cheating has robbed fans across the league – from Spurs and United supporters to clubs at the bottom – of cherished memories, urging City’s ex‑players, current players and owners to consider the broader impact.

Meanwhile, former City and Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel proposed a 125‑point penalty spread over five years, effectively starting each season with a –25‑point deficit, alongside a five‑year transfer ban, a large fine and forced sale of the club.

Schmeichel argued that such a sanction would serve as a lasting reminder that cheating carries heavy consequences for all clubs.

Manchester City must suffer: Gerrard demands multi-year sanctions

Other voices have suggested a 60‑point deduction, though that suggestion provoked an angry reaction and was dismissed by many as insufficient.