- Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard demanded severe punishments for Manchester City over alleged financial rule violations on The Overlap
- Gerrard argued that stripping titles from the 2009 to 2018 period alone would not be sufficient to address the scale of the controversy
- The ex-England midfielder pointed to Premier League action against Everton and Nottingham Forest as a benchmark for how authorities should handle City's case
Steven Gerrard has taken a firm public stance on the Manchester City financial charges saga, insisting the Premier League must go beyond simply removing trophies if the allegations against the club are upheld.
Source: Facebook
The former Liverpool and England midfielder called for punishments spanning multiple seasons, including a transfer ban and points deductions spread across several campaigns.
What did Steven Gerrard say about Manchester City?
His view is that any penalty should leave a lasting mark on the club rather than being resolved through a single consequence.
Gerrard specifically highlighted the period between 2009 and 2018 as the window in which he believes City's alleged financial misconduct occurred.
That stretch is particularly personal for him, given that the 2014 title race saw City pip Liverpool to the Premier League trophy.
While Gerrard stopped short of calling for relegation, he explained his reasoning carefully.
Dropping City down to the Championship, he argued, could have an unfair knock-on effect for clubs in the English Football League by reducing the number of available promotion spots.
Instead, he favoured sanctions that keep City in the top flight but seriously restrict their ability to compete over a sustained period.
Mirror reports that he also made clear that individual players should not bear the brunt of any penalties, placing responsibility squarely on the club as an institution.
Gerrard pointed to the Premier League's treatment of Everton and Nottingham Forest in recent years as a reference point, suggesting the governing body should show the same willingness to act decisively when the case involves a more powerful club.
Gerrard acknowledged that determining the right level of punishment would not be straightforward, but maintained that the Premier League has an obligation to show that financial regulations carry real weight regardless of which club is in the dock.
Why will Pep Guardiola return to Manchester City?
In other news, Pep Guardiola is reportedly planning to attend Manchester City’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on October 14, potentially marking his first visit since leaving the club.
The former manager spent a decade at City, winning numerous trophies, and has continued supporting the club as it challenges a financial ruling.
Source: TUKO.co.ke