Manchester City charges ignite medal debate for Rooney and Ferdinand

Manchester City’s pending sanctions have reignited a fierce debate over who deserves extra Premier League medals, with former players and managers weighing in. Wayne Rooney admits he would feel uncomfortable accepting another medal, while Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes openly demand theirs.

Charges revive title controversy

The club faces 114 charges that could strip it of a potential 12th Premier League crown, a scenario that has reopened questions about past title races involving Liverpool and Manchester United. Critics argue the original outcomes may have been altered, prompting calls to reassess who the rightful champions are.

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable about accepting another Premier League medal if I’m being honest, because I don’t think we deserve it,” Wayne Rooney said, stressing his personal integrity despite the speculation surrounding the case.

Jurgen Klopp, who once joked in 2024, “If you organise a bus parade, I am in! How long it takes I don’t care!”, now adopts a more diplomatic tone. He told reporters last week, “I know I once said something that I’d come if there was ever a parade, but it doesn’t feel like that now,” adding, “I don’t feel like I need to have my bus parade. I can wait and stay totally relaxed.” Klopp also said he respects Pep Guardiola’s City side and will simply wait for any punishment, saying, “I’m completely okay about what happened and what we achieved.”

Rio Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with Manchester United – the same tally as Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and John Stones with City – tweeted that he wants a seventh and hinted at medals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and José Mourinho. Ole later posted a picture captioned “Another premier league medal to be added to the cabinet,” echoing Ferdinand’s sentiment.

Paul Scholes, the 11‑time champion under Sir Alex Ferguson, posted on Instagram, “I’m a greedy b**** I want my medal.” He noted that his tally would have reached 12 if not for Sergio Aguero’s impact after Scholes returned from retirement in the 2011‑12 campaign.

Former Manchester United midfielder José Enrique also chimed in, tweeting, “Is already here!!! Thank you Premier League and send me the medal soon too 😂.” Speaking on ITV during the England‑Spain Nations League match, he said, “Actually, directly, it affects me. I’ve been lucky enough to play enough games and win some trophies but I’ve never won the Premier League – or have I?” He added that the decision should reflect the team that performed best on the pitch.

If Manchester City’s appeal fails and the club is definitively found guilty, the fallout could reshape the historical record for Liverpool and Manchester United, with many arguing that no individual suffered more than Klopp, whose side finished runners‑up with 97 and 92 points in 2018‑19 and 2021‑22 respectively.