Micah Richards ‘heartbroken’ after Manchester City financial verdict

Micah Richards says he has been left “devastated” and “angry” by the Premier League’s verdict against Manchester City, with uncertainty now surrounding the club’s potential punishment and achievements during the period under investigation.

City were found to have benefited from arrangements worth £900 million between 2009 and 2018 which were described as “sham” deals and used to inflate revenue or reduce costs in relation to Premier League and UEFA financial regulations.

Manchester City have rejected the verdict and intend to appeal. The eventual sanctions have not yet been determined, meaning the consequences for the club — and whether previous honours could be affected — remain uncertain.

For Richards, who came through City’s academy and won the Premier League with the club in 2012, the findings have been particularly difficult to process.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards admitted the language used in reports of the verdict had troubled him.

“I saw the words which were used by the Premier League in sham contracts and I felt absolutely devastated,” Richards said.

“I’ve been at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club. I achieved my dream at Manchester City, but then to hear these reports, and not only me as an ex-player, but the fans, what they have to go through, absolutely devastating.”

Richards revealed that a lifelong City supporter he lived with during his younger years had called him in tears looking for answers.

The former England defender said he could not provide them.

“To have a headline of this nature for a club that I love so much, it’s been difficult,” he added. “I feel saddened, I feel angry, I feel a little bit confused because, on the other side, you have City’s side of the story.”

City’s decision to appeal means the case is not yet at its final stage.

Richards believes that creates a difficult situation regardless of the eventual outcome, arguing that questions could continue to follow the club even if an appeal succeeds.

“There are no winners in this,” he said. “If Man City do the appeal and they get off, it’s still going to be tarnished. And, if they’re found guilty after the appeal, what happens then?”

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane offered a much harsher assessment, arguing that players should discard medals if titles are ultimately found to have been won while City were benefiting from rule-breaking.

Speaking on ITV, Keane described the situation as “cheating” and rejected the argument that results on the pitch should be viewed separately.

“If I was a player, I’d be 100 per cent sticking those medals in the bin,” he said.

The supplied report raises the possibility of severe sporting sanctions, including removal from the Premier League or action involving titles won during the relevant period. However, no such punishment has yet been confirmed.

Until City’s appeal is resolved and sanctions are determined, the status of Richards’ 2012 Premier League medal and the club’s other honours remains unchanged.

Manchester City’s appeal is now the critical next stage. Until that process is completed, the ultimate sporting and financial consequences remain unresolved.

Any potential punishment will depend on the final outcome of the case. The supplied report raises possibilities including severe league sanctions and action affecting honours, but those outcomes should not be treated as confirmed.

For former players such as Richards, that uncertainty is particularly significant. His 2012 Premier League title remains intact at present, but the wider debate over City’s achievements during the period is likely to continue while the appeal process remains outstanding.