Rio Ferdinand Calls for One of Manchester City's Titles

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has hinted at adding another Premier League title to his collection after Manchester City was sensationally found guilty of breaching the division's financial rules.

The "guilty" verdict was delivered on all but one of the 115 charges related to the Premier League's financial regulations. The league's governing body accused the club of widespread financial irregularities during an era of sustained success, with the hearing before an independent panel concluding in 2024.

City is expected to appeal the decision, but sanctions are now anticipated, with some fans calling for the club to be stripped of trophies won during the period in question.

This includes the title the club secured in the 2011-12 season, when they edged out United thanks to Sergio Aguero's famous last-minute goal on the final day of the season against QPR.

That result saw City claim the league ahead of their local rivals United on goal difference, and Ferdinand was part of the Red Devils squad that lost out on that dramatic day.

The former defender took to social media to, in effect, demand that City be stripped of the title won that year.

"Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet," the 47-year-old former player posted on social media.

He left United at the end of the 2013-14 season, which saw City again win the Premier League, despite Liverpool finishing second.

In a shocking turn of events where City is stripped of titles won during the period of financial breaches, United would be awarded two titles – for the 2011-12 and 2017-18 seasons, while Liverpool would receive the 2013-14 trophy.

The verdict could lead to various penalties, including massive point deductions, financial sanctions, and even expulsion from the top flight.

Point deductions could even be applied retrospectively, increasing the chance of City being stripped of their Premier League titles. In such a scenario, teams like United and Liverpool would benefit, potentially gaining an additional three Premier League titles each.