Steven Gerrard Calls for Severe Sanctions Against Manchester City
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called for severe and prolonged sanctions against Manchester City following their financial rule breaches.
Steven Gerrard believes that Manchester City must face severe and long-lasting sanctions following their conviction on numerous charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations. The former Liverpool captain, whose team narrowly missed out on the 2013/14 title to City, argued that a mere symbolic punishment or a simple relegation to the Championship would not suffice.
Speaking on the Overlap Daily show, Gerrard emphasized that his stance is not personal against City’s current squad. "This is not personal for me against Manchester City players, because they are all exceptional players," Gerrard said. "They experienced special moments and obviously they deserved them. I'm not someone who's going to sit here and say I'd accept a title medal, or I want one of the medals they've got. I think I've come to terms with the fact that I never won the Premier League, and that it's something missing from my career."
The Impact on Fans and Rivals
"I've heard a lot of City players, fans, and famous supporters say 'you can't take those moments away from us'. But what about the memories they took, not just from me and the team I played in, but over a period of nine or ten years? From Tottenham fans, United, Everton, bottom-tier clubs, and teams playing in cups? City, former players, current players, owners, everyone connected to the club needs to think about the memories they stole from everyone else."
When asked what the appropriate punishment should be, Gerrard dismissed the idea of a simple drop to the Championship, arguing it would be unfair to the English Football League (EFL) and that City would bounce back immediately.
Demanding Severe Sanctions
"I think they need to be given a transfer ban, points deductions over a period of time, and made to suffer, just like they made everyone else suffer for nine or ten years," the former midfielder continued. "That's my opinion. But a precedent has to be set."
Gerrard also conceded that he would likely defend Liverpool if the roles were reversed, but maintained that heavy sanctions are crucial for the integrity of the game, the Premier League, and its global brand.