Following the report of Manchester City’s guilty verdict, former Stoke City manager, Tony Pulis wants one of the trophies won by the Cityzens during the period in question to be handed over to Stoke City.
Pulis criticised Manchester City as he perceived himself as having been cheated after his team was defeated by Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final.
Manchester City won the FA Cup final against Stoke City in 2011, with Yaya Toure scoring the only goal of the encounter.
Available information indicated that the midfielder’s transfer fee alone exceeded the combined value of Stoke City’s starting lineup.
In his BBC column, Pulis expressed his long-standing disappointment over the defeat to a Manchester City squad composed of top players.
However, he now feels cheated, as he believes they assembled the team and hired a manager by working the books.
He said: “Following the match, my disappointment stemmed from the reality that we had competed against a squad abundant with world-class talent and confronted an accomplished manager in Roberto Mancini, yet ultimately fell short.
“Currently, my perspective has shifted considerably, as I believe others affiliated with clubs similarly impacted by Manchester City’s achievements during the 2009-2018 period share this sentiment.
“We were unsuccessful, but against a team that has been determined to have violated the Premier League’s established financial regulations.
“Through these violations, they not only defeated Stoke in an FA Cup final, but also accumulated numerous titles and proceeded to establish unprecedented dominance over English football throughout an extended period. Given that these regulations were transgressed, what consequences will be imposed?”
While Pulis said he would feel better if the FA Cup title were given to him and Stoke City as runners-up, he does not think that would be the case.
However, he believes that the Etihad side should be handed massive fines and points deductions.
He added: “I don’t expect Manchester City to phone me or the club and offer back the 2011 FA Cup and the winners’ medals their players received.
“I don’t seriously believe any other trophies and titles will be handed back either. A points deduction and a massive fine feels far more likely.
“But I still feel cheated. Whatever happens next, we won’t ever get that day back and the chance to celebrate around Stoke-on-Trent with the cup and medals we so honestly fought for. After breaking the rules, Manchester City got to do that instead.”
The Etihad side are still waiting to hear the sanctions but have already confirmed they will appeal.
