Wayne Rooney says Manchester City should not be stripped of their Premier League titles for breaching financial rules, even if it would grant him another winner's medal. The former Manchester United striker expressed his views on the Stick to United podcast, emphasizing fairness to the City players and staff who earned those victories on the pitch.
Rooney's Stance on Manchester City's Titles
Rooney, who was part of the United squad that finished second to City in the 2011-12 season, stated he would not feel comfortable accepting a retrospective medal. "I wouldn't feel comfortable about accepting another Premier League medal if I'm being honest, because I don't think we deserve it," he said. "We didn't do enough that season to win the league."
His comments come as Manchester City await sanctions after being found guilty of over 100 charges related to financial rule breaches. Potential punishments include fines, points deductions, or even title stripping, though City deny any wrongdoing and are appealing the verdict.
Why Rooney Believes Punishment Should Not Affect Players
Rooney empathized with the City players, noting that they gave their all to win titles. "I'm thinking as their players, they're doing everything they can to win the Premier League title and in their minds they've done it," he explained. "And if that happened to me, if all of a sudden Manchester United have been doing the same and I'm getting my Premier League medals taken away from me, I'd be absolutely devastated."
However, Rooney still wants City to face consequences if found guilty. He suggests that punishments should target the club's management rather than the players who were unaware of any financial misconduct.
Potential Sanctions for Manchester City
The Premier League has a range of sanctions available if City's breaches are upheld. Here's a comparison of possible penalties:
| Sanction Type | Description | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Fine | Monetary penalty imposed on the club | High |
| Points Deduction | Deducting points from future seasons | Medium |
| Title Stripping | Revoking past league titles | Low |
| Transfer Ban | Restriction on signing new players | Medium |
Key Takeaways from Rooney's Comments
- Rooney opposes stripping City of titles, citing fairness to players.
- He would not accept a retrospective medal as he feels United didn't deserve it.
- Rooney still advocates for punishment if City are guilty.
- City are appealing the verdict and deny any wrongdoing.
FAQ
What charges does Manchester City face?
What charges does Manchester City face?
Manchester City has been charged with over 100 breaches of Premier League financial rules, including inaccurate financial reporting and failing to cooperate with investigations.
Why does Wayne Rooney oppose stripping City of titles?
Why does Wayne Rooney oppose stripping City of titles?
Rooney believes it would be unfair to the City players and staff who worked hard to win those titles, as they were unaware of any financial misconduct.
What punishments could Manchester City face?
What punishments could Manchester City face?
Possible sanctions include fines, points deductions, transfer bans, and potentially stripping of titles, though the latter is considered less likely.
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