Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards says the Premier League’s damning verdict on the club has left him devastated and heartbroken.
City were found to have engaged in a £900million scheme to either inflate revenues or reduce costs through a series of 'sham' arrangements between 2009 and 2018 in order to avoid breaching league and UEFA financial regulations.
The eight-time Premier League champions face severe sanctions, although City remain defiant and immediately declared their intention to appeal.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards – who lifted the Premier League title with City in 2012 – said: 'The reports were troubling. I saw the words which were used by the Premier League in sham contracts and I felt absolutely devastated.
'I’ve been at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club. I achieved my dream at Manchester City, but then to hear these reports, and not only me as an ex-player, but the fans, what they have to go through, absolutely devastating.'
Richards described speaking to the fan he used to live with as a young player at the club, adding: 'My digs man, he rang me and he was literally in tears and asking me about information, which I don’t know, I haven’t got the answers to tell him.
'And that’s someone who’s supported the club for 60-odd years, and the uncertainty around it is just heartbreaking.
'To have a headline of this nature for a club that I love so much, it’s been difficult. If you listen to the reports, they are damning. I feel saddened, I feel angry, I feel a little bit confused because, on the other side, you have City’s side of the story.'
What City’s punishment will be remains to be seen, but the implications are likely to spread far and wide – with the possibility that they could be kicked out of the Premier League and also stripped of the titles they won in that period.
'There are no winners in this,' added Richards. 'If Man City do the appeal and they get off, it’s still going to be tarnished. And, if they’re found guilty after the appeal, what happens then?
'And it’s not just Man City fans or Man City players, it’s the whole of the Premier League comes into question. This could be something that goes on for years and years and years.'
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said, if he was a City player, he would throw all the medals in the bin - referencing Brian Clough's famous words to his Leeds players during an ill-fated 44-day spell at Elland Road.
Speaking on ITV, Keane said: 'They knew it would hurt a lot of people, but they’ve still done it, and, if I was a player, I’d be 100 per cent sticking those medals in the bin.
'It’s cheating. You’re hearing nonsense about some ex-players saying, ‘Oh well, they won on the pitch’. Because it was cheating! It was cheating going on.'
SUGJoshua
0
Tell m how this stupid United legends can talk when United whole history is all about cheating lol 😂 It’s always the culprits that come out to shout the most dumb legend my foot. So city didn’t play that plus 95mins goal from aguero to win the title? So Liverpool of klopp didn’t win 90plus point and still loose to city to show you how far they have to go to win?
you Don't understand simple English that's why you are talking likethis. I can see the pain in your voice
Litelntz
0
did what mouth a massy keane for a man who man u has done so much for who now doesn't feels an ounce of sadness for man u playing state....how can u be telling city players to bin their medals u should go bin your filthy mouths fool
Litelntz
0
just man up bro don't let the mafias big 3z past players pushed u in the ground
Afrosports
0
After abandoning you for foreign players you are still showing I have been telling all these opportunites young boys a yo-yo club is always a yo-yo club meaning clubs that got promoted from lower division to higher division in space of two years they go back down and after three years they come back, this is the City we know when growing up and I think they are going back to their natural selves gradually . Same thing with Chelsea always average before Russian Billionaire take over and now back to default mode.
Anuolu190
0
jealous, will never help you
Nowadays there’s so many fòòlish people out there fr, how could you say they are jealous, this cheating, you couldn’t prove him wrong……. If they cheated too like you did, will you think u will have all these trophies……… all these small clubs if they cheated they will all have stars
sapbcoptuz
1
jealous, will never help you
payelmnopu
2
I knew Keane wasn't going to mince his words he says it straight to your face
bieailnpr
1
Tell m how this stupid United legends can talk when United whole history is all about cheating lol 😂 It’s always the culprits that come out to shout the most dumb legend my foot. So city didn’t play that plus 95mins goal from aguero to win the title? So Liverpool of klopp didn’t win 90plus point and still loose to city to show you how far they have to go to win?
what are talking about?? Understand the case before you respond.You were cheating and thats all.Aguero's goal has nothing to do with what the club was doing behind doors which is against epl financial rules and thr fact is you have been found guilty,so lets just wait for the punishment you are going to receive 😀
nopaciptuz
1
fucking Enzo Fernandez....the asshole
ProfStyles442
2
Tell m how this stupid United legends can talk when United whole history is all about cheating lol 😂 It’s always the culprits that come out to shout the most dumb legend my foot. So city didn’t play that plus 95mins goal from aguero to win the title? So Liverpool of klopp didn’t win 90plus point and still loose to city to show you how far they have to go to win?
You’re comparing apples to oranges. Liverpool’s points, Aguero’s 93:20 and City’s trophies have nothing to do with the financial charges. The issue is how City’s finances were reported and whether the rules were broken. The independent Commission found City guilty of the relevant financial breaches. So “but Aguero scored in 93:20” isn’t really a defence to financial-rule violations. Moreover about United there is no evidence to back your claim. Financial charges are different from playing style even though that will impact the quality of players on your side. Hopefully this helps you understand.
Footballislife0811
4
Tell m how this stupid United legends can talk when United whole history is all about cheating lol 😂 It’s always the culprits that come out to shout the most dumb legend my foot. So city didn’t play that plus 95mins goal from aguero to win the title? So Liverpool of klopp didn’t win 90plus point and still loose to city to show you how far they have to go to win?
Maubcptuyz
4
Cheating ain’t good 😊,get angry as you may!