Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes that Manchester City should be stripped of its titles, or put a mark of distinction next to its achievements. As a penalty for violating the financial rules of the English Premier League.
The former Liverpool captain called for strict sanctions to be imposed on Manchester City, including prohibition of signing new players and deduction of points over several seasons, considering that any measure taken must set a precedent.
An independent committee concluded that Manchester City violated the English Premier League’s regulations regarding “providing accurate financial information” during the period between the 2009-2010 and 2017-2018 seasons.
For its part, Manchester City, which achieved a valuable and well-deserved victory over its host Liverpool, with a score of 3-0, in the English Premier League, on Sunday, at Anfield, held on. The Red Team maintained its innocence, as it filed an appeal against the committee's findings.
Gerrard has never won the English Premier League title, and was part of Liverpool's squad that finished runner-up behind Manchester City in the 2013-2014 season.
Gerrard said in media statements: “I do not want individual players to return the medals or awards they won.”
He added in his statements, which were reported by the British News Agency (PA Media): “I do not think that would be right. Personally, I do not accept anything. I have come to terms with my situation and what I have achieved. But as far as the club is concerned, he should be stripped of the titles he won.”
He explained: “In my opinion, a distinctive mark (or exceptional reference) must be placed in historical records. Like putting a reminder (star) next to their achievements throughout those years.”
He added: “There must be a minimum mark of distinction, then it will not matter whether the titles are withdrawn or not. “Once there is that mark, everyone will know it happened because of what we all know happened.”
Liverpool finished the 2013-2014 season in second place, two points behind Manchester City, which was Gerrard's penultimate season with the club belonging to the Merseyside region.
Gerrard (46 years old) rejected the idea of Manchester City relegating to the “Championship League”, considering that such a step would unfairly harm the clubs competing for promotion from the English Football League.
Instead, Gerrard prefers to impose punishments that extend over several seasons. He said: “I believe that the punishment should include preventing the signing of new players, deducting points over a certain period, and making them suffer as they made everyone else suffer during the nine or 10 years in which they committed these practices.”
It seems that Coventry City has regained its balance in the English Premier League after achieving its first victory at home this season with a major 4-1 victory over Newcastle United yesterday (Monday), while the guests remained in a state of deep contemplation and self-examination.
Jack Rodoni scored the lead goal for the hosts at the start of the match from a penalty kick, and then Siddiqui Sherif, Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni all scored, as Coventry achieved two wins from two matches after a difficult start to the season, and also achieved its first home victory in the top flight in 25 years.
Coventry coach Frank Lampard said: “We feel completely satisfied.” Winning is very difficult. We played like the team we aspire to be. There is a lot of spirit and energy in the group, and we know that we will have to suffer a lot this season.”
He added: “The players have a high work ethic, and they believe that they will get what they deserve, which is achieving good results. However, we were not lucky enough this season to score more points.”
He continued: “It was a complete performance. We must be humble. "It's a great feeling for the players."
There may be a state of euphoria in Coventry, but for Newcastle it was a bad performance in which they wasted several chances and their defense seemed fragile.
Newcastle coach Matthias Jaisse told the BBC: “This is difficult. That's the punishment in this league. We controlled several stages of the match, but that was not enough. Matches are decided in penalty areas. We were indecisive in both areas. This is something we have to learn quickly. The momentum was there. We have a young squad but that should not be an excuse. “It was a tough match overall.”
He added: “If you look at the whole picture today, it was not the worst match. But I apologize to the fans because they deserved a different result.”
