Robertson warns against blaming Man City players as verdict looms
Andy Robertson, the Tottenham Hotspur left‑back, has spoken out after an independent panel delivered its verdict on Manchester City’s financial case, a decision announced on Friday afternoon that sent the world of football into a frenzy and raised questions about Liverpool’s missed trophies.
Robertson’s stance on the verdict
Tottenham Hotspur left‑back Robertson insisted it would be wrong for Manchester City’s players to be tarnished by the club’s alleged breach of financial regulations. He told the Scotland pre‑match press conference before the Nations League clash with Slovenia, “I think you can hear the shock in my voice… the case has obviously been going on”. He added, “I don’t know too much about the charges, but they had an incredible team, one that I loved battling against, and players should never be blamed.”
The Scotland international was part of the Liverpool side that missed out on several major trophies to Manchester City, including two Premier League titles decided by narrow margins. Robertson made 378 appearances for Liverpool before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. His experience of those close defeats underpins his empathy for the City players he now defends.
Panel finds City breached rules
An independent panel concluded that Manchester City breached English top‑flight financial rules 114 times over a nine‑year period from 2009 to 2018, a case originally charged in 2023. The club, which has always denied any wrongdoing, now faces a nervous wait for punishment and has indicated it will appeal the verdict. The finding, released on Friday, has sent clubs across the Premier League into a state of heightened alert.
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Premier League clubs are already planning potential legal action against Manchester City following the guilty verdict, with the possibility of a class‑action claim being floated by The Athletic. United, in particular, is said to be scrutinising the 2011/12 season when Sergio Aguero’s last‑gasp goal denied them the title, as well as the record‑breaking 100‑point campaign that also fell within the breach window. These clubs argue that the alleged misconduct may have cost them prize money and Club World Cup qualification.
Financial fallout and title scrutiny
Manchester City claimed eight Premier League titles since the 2011/12 campaign, alongside domestic cup victories and one Champions League triumph since 2009, all now under scrutiny for legitimacy. Missing out on those trophies would have had significant financial consequences for the affected clubs, including lost prize money and the associated revenue from World Football competitions. The verdict therefore not only questions past successes but also threatens future financial stability for the club.
Robertson says Scotland were outrun after Slovenia’s second‑half strike
Robertson’s focus on protecting players contrasts sharply with the legal and financial turmoil surrounding Manchester City, highlighting how the verdict reverberates beyond the boardroom. The story was reported by Comments Sport Isaac Seelochan, Senior Sports Journalist, at 09:36 on 26 Sep 2026, with “View 2 Images” accompanying the release, underscoring the global interest in this football saga.