Gerrard calls for City to be stripped of their historic titles
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has called for severe sanctions against Manchester City for their alleged breach of Premier League financial regulations, suggesting either stripping the club of their trophies or adding a special badge to their achievements in the club's history books. The former Liverpool captain advocated for measures including a transfer ban and a points deduction over several seasons, emphasizing that the punishment should set a precedent for dealing with such cases. An independent panel concluded that Manchester City violated Premier League rules regarding the accurate reporting of financial information between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The club maintains its innocence and has appealed the panel's findings. Gerrard's comments came after Manchester City's 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday. He stated that while he doesn't see the need to strip the players of their medals and awards, he believes the club should be held accountable, adding that a special badge next to their trophies would be the minimum required to acknowledge the circumstances surrounding their achievements. The issue holds particular significance for Gerrard, who has never won the Premier League title, as Liverpool finished second in the 2013-14 season, two points behind Manchester City. The England star rejected the idea of City being relegated to the Championship, arguing that it would harm clubs vying for promotion. He preferred instead a lengthy punishment, including points deductions and transfer bans, which would affect the club for several seasons.
