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'Stick medals in the bin': Manchester United legend takes brutal swipe at Man City after 'sham' verdict
Sep 30 2026 11:20 · By onefootball.com · 15 Reads
Former Man Utd captain has not minced his words
Roy Keane has said he would stick his medals in the bin if he were a Manchester City player, in reaction to the club being found guilty of all charges related to breaking the Premier League financial rules.
In a statement issued by the Premier League on Tuesday (September 29) an independent commission found Man City had arranged “sham” commercial agreements with sponsors during the nine-season period as part of a disguised funding scheme.
Under those arrangements, sponsors paid only part of the relevant fees, with the remainder funded by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment & Development Ltd (ADUG), then City's owner.
During the nine-year period in question, from 2009 to 2018, City won three Premier League titles, three League Cups, one FA Cup and Community Shield, ultimately setting the foundations to become the dominant team in English football.
“They knew it would hurt a lot of people, but they’ve still done it, and, if I was a player, I’d be 100 per cent sticking those medals in the bin,” Keane said.
“It’s cheating. You’re hearing nonsense about some ex-players saying, ‘Oh well, they won on the pitch’. Because it was cheating! It was cheating going on.”
Ian Wright, meanwhile, agreed with Keane, describing it as “cheating on an industrial scale” and called for “an unprecedented punishment.”
I'd be 100% sticking those medals in the bin
Roy Keane
Man City have confirmed they will appeal after being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules.
A statement read: “Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today.
“The Club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case. The Club will therefore be relentless, and where necessary proactive, in any and all appropriate regulatory and legal forums.”