Roy Keane and Ian Wright tore into Manchester City after they were found guilty of 114 of the Premier League charges against them.
Roy Keane
Roy Keane speaks about Manchester City being found guilty (Image: ITV)
Roy Keane and Ian Wright want Manchester City stripped of the trophies they won between 2009 and 2018 - but the pair are unlikely to get their wish. City lifted eight trophies during the period they are accused of breaking the Premier League's financial rules. City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them on Friday, following a lengthy investigation by an independent panel. No sanctions have yet been confirmed and the eight-time English champions have appealed against the verdict.
But BBC Sport say the Premier League have already decided they have little appetite to strip City of their past titles. Both the organisation and the clubs within the league are said to hold that stance. And that will disappoint Keane and Wright, who want City to be punished as strongly as possible if their appeal fails. The pair were on ITV on Saturday night working as pundits for England's Nations League match against world champions Spain at Wembley.
After watching footage of Rodri speaking in Spain's pre-match press conference, arguing that everything City won "was deserved", Keane responded: "It's about time. It's obviously been going on a long time now. Yeah I certainly would disagree with Rodri's messages there. It was their choice - the club chose to cheat.
"Whatever they have won over the last few years, they deserve to be punished. Where we start and finish with that obviously is difficult. But they were cheating and they were found guilty of it.
"They have to take their medicine now. It was a shock really, to be found guilty of 114 of the charges. So yeah, big news."
Ian Wright added: "Going back to Rodri, talking about what he did, went shoulder to shoulder with the guys. Course they can't take that away from them, the experience of that. But they should take it away from them. They should be punished for it.
"They may have been able to experience those memories and those great times together but when you look at the teams that were trying to chase them who were doing it right... It's not right, Pougs [ITV host Mark Pougatch].
"What have we taken from Liverpool's legacy? [Jurgen] Klopp and that team. What could they have experienced? Roy's right.
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"They cheated to get it done and people have missed out, players have missed out on unbelievable opportunities for themselves. Like Roy said, I'm glad we finally got there."
While former United attacker Juan Mata, who would inherit two more league winner's medals if City were stripped of their titles, said: "Actually, it directly affects me. I've been lucky enough to play many games and win some trophies. But I never won the Premier League... or have I?!
"Twice. Because twice we were second in those years. I don't know what's going to happen but I think they're right. Whoever has been cheating needs to be punished.
"Of course it's fair what Rodri is saying the trophies they won on the pitch, he feels they were the better team on the pitch. It was very difficult to play against them. But who says it's the right thing to do or not?"
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-TROPHY-PARADE
There have been calls for Manchester City to be stripped of past trophies (Image: Getty)
The Premier League declined to comment on the case while City said in a statement on Friday: "The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality.
"As such Manchester City FC's position remains consistent with the club's statement of February 2023.
"The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence."
Their chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, added on Saturday: "Here's what I said to my family: The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began.
"There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position.
"But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies."
Though City may keep their past titles, Premier League clubs are currently seeking legal advice about compensation. Potential punishments from the Premier League include a points deduction, expulsion from the league or a massive fine.
City were first charged by the Premier League in February 2023 and this verdict comes 22 months after a hearing from an independent commission finished.