An emotional Micah Richards said that he is “devastated” by the situation surrounding Manchester City as Roy Keane was asked about his friend and fellow pundit potentially losing his Premier League winners’ medal.
If that appeal fails, the serious sanctions on the table range from potential points deductions, fines and transfer bans to the stripping of titles and trophies to even possible expulsion from the Premier League.
Richards would be among the players impacted if City were to be stripped of the trophies won during the period in question, having been part of the team that won the top-flight title in 2011/12 and also the 2010/11 FA Cup - both under Roberto Mancini.
Speaking ahead of City’s first game since the bombshell guilty verdict, against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Richards said on Sky Sports: “I feel devastated, I would say. More because of what the fans have had to go through and had to endure over this period.
“Me coming through the Man City academy, going there when I was 14. All the noise around Man City – what should happen, what shouldn’t happen – and I put my neck on the line for this club.
“They’ve given me this amazing opportunity to go all the way through the academy and then break into the first team.
“My dream was to win the FA Youth Cup. I missed out on that. Then I won the FA Cup, move on to the Premier League.
“For that to be in question now is very confusing. You’ve got one side saying there’s charges. You’ve got Man City’s side saying they’ve got irrefutable evidence.
“It just leaves a situation for me, the fans, everyone at the club. So devastated.
“I feel let down by the fact it dragged on so long. The fact that Man City talked about this evidence, and if they have this evidence, I want to see it. Make it easier for the fans, because they’re the last to know about everything.
“But us as players, what could we possibly do? We go out on the pitch, we give 100 per cent. I’ve literally got one knee giving 100 per cent for Manchester City Football Club, that’s how much I love this club.
“I would do anything for this club because of the opportunity they’ve given me.
“I’m in a difficult situation now where I’m being questioned, whether it be integrity, my medals, or whatever it may be.
“But I know I gave everything, 100 per cent for that club, and that’s all I could’ve done as a player.”
Speaking again on Sunday, Keane said: “I said it a few weeks ago and some people think it might be a bit strong, but I wouldn't feel like I've earned a league title if I thought there was something dodgy going on in the background. Absolutely not.
“We talk about lads going out and giving their all, picking up injuries. But that is your job. You just hope everyone else is on the same page, everyone else has been honest and everyone else is trying to do it the proper way.
“They [Man City] had unbelievable superstars then on the bench to make them stronger, and get over the line against teams like Liverpool, who are pushing each other.
“That’s what top-level sport is about. But you hope there is a bit of honesty, that’s where respect comes into the game.
“It’s not personal, that would be just against the club. And what about all the other teams who are trying to go out there and be honest?
“I know Micah of course, but there’s other teams like Liverpool who are doing their best - what about their feelings? What about their emotions?
“What about the supporters who travel up and down the country, who spend fortunes. We praise the Premier League, for the last 10-15 years, magnificent league, brilliant brand.
“Because we also say there seems to be a bit of honesty to it. Teams near the bottom will fight against the top teams and give their all, but you want fairness on and off the pitch.”