October 13
Liverpool Legend Among Those Affected
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called for severe sanctions against Manchester City regarding the financial violations alleged against the club in the Premier League. He proposed measures such as a multi-year ban, a transfer embargo, and points deductions over a specific period, rather than simply relegating the club to a lower division or stripping it of past titles.
Speaking on a program, Gerrard emphasized the need for deterrent measures to safeguard the integrity of the competition and the reputation of the Premier League, amidst ongoing debate over potential penalties for City, a club that denies the accusations leveled against it.
The case holds particular significance for Gerrard, who played for Liverpool from 1998 to 2015. He missed out on the Premier League title in the 2013–2014 season—won by Manchester City—in a campaign often remembered for his team's infamous slip-up against Chelsea during the season's closing stages.
Nevertheless, the former Liverpool captain emphasized that he has no desire to reclaim the league title or receive a retrospective medal, explaining that he has accepted the fact that he did not win the championship during his career and has moved past the events of that season's conclusion.
Gerrard stated that relegation alone would not be a sufficient punishment for Manchester City, arguing that the team could quickly return to contention; furthermore, their presence in the second tier would compromise the fairness of the competition for clubs vying for promotion.
He added that the penalty should be proportionate to the severity of the alleged violations and the timeframe during which they reportedly occurred.
Gerrard explained that the proposed sanctions should include a transfer ban and a points deduction over a specific period. He emphasized that decisive action is essential to prevent a recurrence of such violations and to send a clear message to other clubs that financial regulations apply to everyone.
The former Liverpool star concluded by stressing that the best interests of football require resolving the case as quickly as possible and imposing deterrent sanctions that uphold the integrity of the Premier League. He noted that while he might have taken a different stance had Liverpool been the club involved—given his ties to the team—he believes that protecting the competition's reputation must be the priority.
