Manchester City’s financial case has moved from years of argument into a moment of consequence, with former Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane insisting the club must accept whatever punishment follows after being found guilty on 114 of 115 charges.
Keane rejects Rodri’s defence
Keane, now a prominent television pundit, criticised the response offered by Spanish international Rodri in defence of City. He argued that the club, rather than any individual player, had chosen its course.
- Keane said the process had gone on for far too long.
- He disagreed with Rodri’s message backing Manchester City.
- He said City had made the decision to break the rules and should not complain about the outcome.
“They were cheating and they have been found guilty,” Keane said, adding that the scale of the verdict was startling. “They now have to face the consequences.”
114 charges upheld from financial investigation
The findings concern alleged breaches of financial regulations over the period from 2009 to 2018. City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 counts brought against them, a verdict that places scrutiny on a trophy-laden era for the club.
Keane said it was difficult to know where to begin with a case of that size, but maintained that achievements collected during the period did not remove the need for a sanction.
“Whatever they have won in recent years, they deserve to be punished,” he said.
Appeal and possible consequences
No formal penalty has yet been announced. Manchester City are preparing an appeal against the verdict, leaving the ultimate sporting and financial impact unresolved.
- A points deduction could be imposed.
- Titles won by the club could be at risk.
- Relegation remains among the potential sporting sanctions.
- City could also suffer a significant financial hit if sponsorship support is lost.
For now, the case remains suspended between the verdict and the sanction, but Keane’s view is clear: City should accept the punishment eventually determined rather than resist it.
