Manchester City: Carragher calls for the maximum punishment!

Jamie Carragher is calling for Manchester City’s titles to be stripped and believes that a mere financial penalty would clearly not be sufficient.

The verdict in the case concerning Manchester City’s financial breaches continues to provoke strong reactions in England. This time, Jamie Carragher has spoken out. In a column published by The Telegraph, the former Liverpool defender believes the consequences must go far beyond a fine.

“City is in denial, refusing to acknowledge that its reputation is in tatters after being found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against it,” Carragher wrote, among other things.

He also took aim at Ferran Soriano’s communication after the verdict, criticising the Citizens’ chief executive for presenting the case as the result of a vendetta against the club.

Carragher wants City’s titles stripped

For the former England international, the punishment should directly affect Manchester City’s honours.

“The titles have to be taken away from City. The punishment must be severe to give the rules meaning, set a precedent and deter future owners who might be tempted to follow City’s example,” he declared.

The case concerns breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules over a period from 2009 to 2018. Manchester City was found guilty on almost all of the charges, but the final punishment has yet to be determined and the club intends to continue contesting the verdict.

Possible impact in the dressing room

Carragher also believes the uncertainty could eventually weigh on the squad. According to him, “one or two players” could start considering a move if they fear the case will compromise their chances of winning new titles in the coming seasons.

His position differs from that of Wayne Rooney. The former Manchester United striker explained that he would not want to be awarded a former title retrospectively if some of City’s triumphs were stripped. The debate over the nature of the punishment therefore remains particularly heated in England.

Guardiola gives City his full support

Pep Guardiola has taken a completely different position. The former Citizens manager, who left this summer after ten years in charge, published a message of support for his former club, its executives, Enzo Maresca, the players and the supporters on Wednesday.

“We will overcome this ordeal together. I love you all,” the Spanish coach wrote, affirming that he had always supported Manchester City and would continue to do so. It was a strong statement from Guardiola, who won 20 trophies with the Sky Blues, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League.

With calls for a historic punishment on one side and the club’s leading figures publicly showing their support on the other, the case is now entering a new phase. The decision on the punishment will be decisive for Manchester City’s sporting future, but also for how its immense trophy haul, built over the past decade, is viewed.

Read also: Bayern: Michael Olise heading for a lucrative contract!

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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