Tony Pulis: Stoke Cheated in 2011 FA Cup Final After Manchester City 2026

Tony Pulis has claimed that his Stoke City team was cheated out of the 2011 FA Cup final following the verdict that Manchester City breached Premier League financial rules. The former Stoke manager expressed his frustration after City were found guilty on virtually all counts of the more than 100 charges laid by the Premier League in February 2023.

Stoke lost the 2011 FA Cup final 1-0 to Manchester City, with Yaya Touré scoring the only goal of the game. Now, with City facing potential sanctions, Pulis believes his side was denied a fair chance at glory.

Pulis: 'When Do We Get Our FA Cup?'

In his BBC Sport column, Pulis wrote: "When do we get our FA Cup? That is what all Stoke fans have been asking me since the news broke on Friday. I thought exactly the same." The 68-year-old added that he doesn't expect Manchester City to hand back the 2011 FA Cup or the winners' medals, but he still feels a deep sense of injustice.

"I don't seriously believe any other trophies and titles will be handed back over either. A points deduction and a massive fine feels far more likely," Pulis continued. "But I still feel cheated. We won't ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for."

The Financial Advantage

Pulis pointed to Manchester City's spending power, specifically their £24 million signing of Yaya Touré from Barcelona. Touré went on to score the winning goal in the 2011 final, a goal that Pulis believes was made possible by financial rules being broken.

"After breaking the rules, Manchester City got to do that instead," Pulis said. "While the process is far from over because City are expected to appeal, I have to say this verdict and the whole situation has left a very sour taste in my mouth."

Key Takeaways

• Tony Pulis feels Stoke City were cheated out of the 2011 FA Cup due to Manchester City's financial rule breaches.
• Manchester City were found guilty on almost all of the 100+ charges brought by the Premier League.
• Pulis doubts City will be stripped of titles but expects a points deduction and heavy fine.
• City deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the verdict.

What Happens Next?

The Premier League has not yet announced specific sanctions for Manchester City. Possible outcomes include a points deduction, a transfer ban, or a substantial fine. Stripping titles is considered unlikely, but the severity of the breaches has sparked widespread debate about the integrity of the competition.

For Stoke City fans, the pain of 2011 remains fresh. The club has not reached an FA Cup final since, and the chance to see their team lift the trophy was taken away by a City side that, according to the verdict, was operating outside the rules.

Comparison of 2011 FA Cup Final Teams

FAQ

As the football world awaits Manchester City's appeal and the final sanctions, the debate over fairness and financial integrity in English football continues to rage. For Tony Pulis and Stoke City, the 2011 FA Cup final will always be a case of what might have been.