Joe Hart
Joe Hart
Joe Hart's response to Roy Keane's suggestion that Manchester City players should throw their medals in the bin has caused a real stir this week.
It has now been more than two weeks since the Premier League leaders were found guilty of all 115 charges they faced throughout an eight-year period.
Naturally, the focus since then has been on what punishment the Cityzens could be handed. Under the competition's rules, nothing is off the table, with everything from a proverbial slap on the wrist or a fine to expulsion from the top flight, a hefty points deduction and even the stripping of titles all having been discussed.
The process is reportedly still a long way from reaching its conclusion after City's owners lodged a formal appeal. However, that has done little to quell the storm, with Hart - one of those with a stake in the situation - hitting back at Keane's strong comments.
Joe Hart Shuts Down Keane's Suggestion City Players Should Bin PL Medals
Manchester City's Joe Hart with his Premier League winners medal
Manchester City's Joe Hart with his Premier League winners medal
Hart made 348 appearances for City between 2006 and 2018, and he's now spoken out following the former Manchester United captain's claim that he and his ex-teammates should “stick their Premier League medals in the bin” after the club was found guilty.
"Yeah, good for him. Well, you can show that one if you want, because he speaks like how people might want to feel," Hart said when about Keano's comments.
"He’s not in that situation, he’s never been in that situation, so it’s very easy to say those sorts of things, but I’m in that situation and I certainly don’t feel like that.”
Hart went on to claim that, while he won't comment extensively on the verdict until the appeal process is dealt with, the outcome won't have an impact on how he reflects on his time at the club, or on his career as a whole.
So much so, that he admitted that he refused to go on a TV show in America to discuss the matter. When asked about the potential of stripped title and how it would change his feelings, he said: "I got asked that, and I ended up not going on TV in America because they said they didn’t want it to turn into anything that it didn’t need to turn into.
"They asked if your name comes up and it says two league titles. What am I going to do about that? What can I possibly do? I certainly don’t walk in the room and bang medals on the table. I couldn’t care less. And we’re all different people, and people have been shocked, because I’ve been asked this question internally, family: what does it matter to me, whether it says it or not?
Manchester City | Champions League
Manchester City | Champions League
“I’m so proud when I lifted those trophies and worked just as hard as everyone else does in the Premier League and any league, Sunday league, worked just as hard. And there was nothing better than having it put around my neck."
He continued: "Whatever plays out over the next couple of months, it’s not going to affect how I feel about my football and my career, because I don’t really look at it like that. I’m so happy and proud to have done what I’ve done, but I don’t do it anymore. Trophies, I don’t think they define me."
Clubs Due Retrospective Medals if Man City are Stripped of Honours
jurgen-klopp-liverpool
Between 2009 and 2018, Man City only won three Premier League titles. In the years since, however, they've added five more, taking their overall tally to eight. Only Man United, with 13, have won more. That would change greatly if Man City were stripped of their titles.
Indeed, the Red Devils would suddenly increase their total to 16 Premier League wins – which would also give Man Utd their first successes in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, as they could be owed three.
Liverpool would also benefit from the sum of three more titles. Steven Gerrard could finally become a Premier League winner, while Arsenal may be handed two more league titles.
Arsenal Players and Mikel Arteta With the Premier League Trophy
Arsenal Players and Mikel Arteta With the Premier League Trophy
Manchester City
Manchester City
If the FA get involved and decided Man City were not only going to be stripped of their Premier League titles but also their other domestic wins, then few lesser clubs could have enjoyed some truly magical days out in the FA Cup.