At Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, a cloud has fallen over a club whose modern rise has been marked by landmark trophies and relentless domestic success. Manchester City have been found guilty of all 115 charges brought under Premier League financial rules, leaving former players to confront the prospect of sanctions that could reshape the club’s recent history.
The news from the club
The possible penalties range from financial fines and points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League. City could also lose honours won during the period under scrutiny, including the 2011-12 Premier League title and the 2010-11 FA Cup.
The club have until 2 October to lodge an appeal and intend to do so. Their response is expected to challenge the verdict and maintain City’s own account of the case.
Micah Richards, the first prominent former City player to address the decision publicly, said he was devastated by the outcome. The former England right-back spent a decade with City between 2005 and 2015, with a loan spell at Fiorentina in his final season under contract.
Richards was part of the squad that won the 2011-12 league championship and the FA Cup the previous year—two trophies that may now be affected by the disciplinary process.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Richards described the news as painful for someone so closely connected to the club. “It is hard to see headlines like this about a club I care about so deeply,” he said. “I feel sad and angry, and somewhat confused too, because City have their own side of the story.”
Joe Hart, another former City goalkeeper from the 2011-12 title-winning side, had voiced confidence in the club’s hierarchy before the verdict was delivered. He said then that he had no reason to doubt either the board or the explanations given by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Since Tuesday’s ruling, however, the landscape around the Etihad has changed sharply. City’s appeal will now determine the next stage of a case carrying consequences not only for the present team, but also for the achievements claimed by earlier generations of the club.
