Steven Gerrard has called for Manchester City to be hit with a multi-year punishment after the club was found guilty of almost all charges in the Premier League's financial fair play case, saying the champions should be made to suffer for roughly a decade of rule-breaking built on sham deals worth around £900m of fabricated revenue.
Speaking on The Overlap, the Liverpool legend also refused any interest in receiving a Premier League winner's medal should City be stripped of their titles, insisting he has made peace with never winning the competition during his playing career.
What did Steven Gerrard say about punishing Manchester City?
Gerrard wants a two-part sanction: a transfer ban and a sustained points deduction over several seasons. He dismissed expulsion to the Championship as neither fair nor sufficient.
“I think putting them down to the Championship is not fair on the EFL,” Gerrard said. “I don't think it's enough, because they'll bounce back.”
He argued that a squad of City's quality would simply steamroll the second tier, punishing the clubs and the promoted team who would face them week in, week out. Instead, he demanded the Premier League set an example.
“I think it needs to be a transfer ban. I think it needs to be points over a period of time. And make them suffer like they've made everyone else suffer for the nine, ten years that they've done it for,” he said. “There needs to be an example set.”
Why Gerrard refuses a Premier League medal
Gerrard is among the former players who could be handed a winner's medal if City are stripped of the 2014 title, the season Liverpool came closest to ending their wait for the trophy. He wants no part of it.
“I'm not someone who's going to sit here and say I would accept a Premier League medal or I want one that they've got,” he said. “I've come to terms with the fact that I've never won the Premier League.”
He was careful to draw a line between the club and its people. “It's not personal for me in terms of the Man City players, because they're all outstanding players, they've lived the moment, and they deserved to win,” he said, adding that in their quiet moments, City players know strong punishment is required “for the sake of the game.”
The wider stakes for English football
The verdict follows years in which the Premier League showed no such hesitation with lesser clubs. Everton and Nottingham Forest both received swift points deductions for far smaller breaches, a contrast Gerrard pointed to directly.
“They were strong with Everton. They were strong with Nottingham Forest,” he said. “We've seen examples of other federations being strong in other countries, so good luck to the Premier League, they have to be strong.”
City have appealed, and the potential sanctions on the table range from a fine and transfer ban to points deductions, expulsion from the competition, or the stripping of titles. Gerrard believes the damage already extends far beyond England.
“I was in a box yesterday, it was full of foreign players. All they wanted to talk about was what City were doing,” he said. “This has had a ripple effect worldwide. It needs to be sorted as quickly as possible.”
The Premier League's credibility now rests on whether it applies to its richest club the same firmness it showed to everyone else. English football has always prided itself on the integrity of its competitions. That reputation, earned over more than a century, is what is on trial alongside Manchester City.
FAQ
What punishment does Steven Gerrard want for Manchester City?
Gerrard wants a multi-year punishment combining a transfer ban with points deductions over a sustained period. He opposes relegation to the Championship, arguing it would be unfair on the EFL and insufficient, since City would quickly bounce back.
Will Steven Gerrard accept a Premier League medal if Manchester City are stripped of titles?
No. Gerrard said he has no interest in accepting a Premier League winner's medal and has come to terms with never winning the competition as a player.
What were Manchester City found guilty of?
Manchester City were found guilty of almost all charges after being accused of breaching FFP regulations, having produced several sham deals to create around £900m of fake revenue to accelerate their on-field progression.
Have Manchester City appealed the FFP verdict?
Yes. Manchester City have appealed, and possible punishments include a fine, transfer ban, points deduction, expulsion, or being stripped of their Premier League titles.