Manchester City faces historic sanction as United reacts

Rio Ferdinand, the Manchester United legend, has noted that the recent guilty verdict against Manchester City — found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges for breaching financial regulations — is a historic milestone that keeps the club under scrutiny at the Etihad Stadium.

Reactions from United former players

David de Gea, former Manchester United goalkeeper, said that, if the sanction is confirmed, additional titles could be counted in his trophy cabinet, hinting that the club’s trophy count could be altered. In the same vein, another former United player posted a photo showing his six Premier League champion medals and added another in a mocking tone.

The former centre-back, 47, also used Twitter to joke about the possible loss of titles, writing: “Now seriously… Ryan Giggs should have 14 Premier League titles hahahaha. Come on Premier League!” Journalist Yaca Garcia‑Planas, quoted by Getty Images, highlighted the irony of these statements while the club prepares its appeal.

Rodri, former Manchester City defender, defended the team, asserting that all trophies were won legitimately and that he trusts the club’s innocence in the face of the accusations.

Manchester City under a historic Premier League sanction

Demands from the English press

English media have called for Manchester City’s relegation, pointing out that the club has been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League. The Telegraph anticipates a “tectonic shift” in English football, while listing the infringements: hiding wages, inflating sponsor revenues and failing to provide accurate financial reports.

The Times reports that several Premier League clubs have hired lawyers to explore possible claims, even arguing that they may have missed out on Champions League spots because of City’s irregularities. The press has also compared the sanction to that of Lance Armstrong, whose record of seven Tour de France victories was stripped.

Premier League clubs could use Section W to sue Manchester City

While the sanction could entail the loss of the seven league titles won between 2008 and 2018, the reaction of figures such as Rio Ferdinand and the media pressure underscore the magnitude of the scandal. The contrast between the seriousness of the ruling and the joking response of United’s former players reveals a gap between the institutional sanction and public perception of the case.