Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender turned Sky Sports analyst, has openly argued that Manchester City ought to be stripped of the trophies they secured during the period in which they have been found culpable of serious financial rule violations. In his view, the club’s owners should also be removed from their leadership roles as a consequence of the misconduct.
An independent commission recently concluded that City breached Premier League financial regulations on every count, confirming the seriousness of the infractions. The club, however, continues to deny any wrongdoing. Chief executive Ferran Soriano dismissed the findings as a "Premier League conspiracy theory" in a video addressed to players and staff, and the organization has announced its intention to appeal the verdict, with a deadline set for October 2. Between the 2009/10 and 2017/18 campaigns, Manchester City amassed a remarkable haul of silverware: three Premier League crowns, one FA Cup, three League Cups and a Community Shield.
Carragher believes that these honours should be expunged from the club’s record. "I do think Manchester City's titles they've won in this time, or trophies, should be taken off their list," he told Sky Sports. He stopped short of saying the accolades should automatically be re‑awarded to the runners‑up. Instead, Carragher emphasized that the emotional essence of winning – the rush of adrenaline when the final whistle blows, the pride of holding a medal – has been stolen from the players, clubs and supporters who were denied a fair contest.
"It's not about medals, it's about feelings, and that's what Manchester City have robbed," he explained. Carragher illustrated his point with a personal anecdote, recalling how he never looks at his own medals years later, yet the memory of the decisive moment remains vivid.
He argued that the players who finished second to City will never experience that same sensation, because the integrity of those competitions has been compromised. Beyond the trophies, Carragher insists that the owners must face accountability. "The club are going to get punished," he said, "but for me this is all about the owners, the people who are at the top of the club." He questioned how the current ownership could continue to operate within English football after a decade of alleged financial misconduct that has left a lasting stain on the club's reputation.
He referenced the "fit and proper" test that the Premier League applies to prospective owners, suggesting that City’s backers have failed that standard. "They have so much power and finance behind them, nobody ever tells them no," Carragher remarked, adding that until the owners step away, the blemish on the club will persist.
While acknowledging that Manchester City will likely rebuild and remain competitive in the future, Carragher expressed doubt that the current ownership can survive the fallout. He demanded transparency, asking for the alleged "irrefutable evidence" to be made public: "Where is it? Put it out there." Carragher also reflected on his own surprise at the Premier League’s ability to secure a conviction against a club with such financial clout. He noted that the league faced 115 charges and was found guilty on 114, a result he described as a "huge well done" for the governing body.
He argued that the case demonstrates that even the most powerful clubs are not above the law. Turning to the players who have been part of City’s success, Carragher expressed sympathy for their predicament. He recognized that many of them have defended the club publicly, but he warned that their careers could be forever marked by an asterisk. He singled out Kevin De Bruyne as an example of a world‑class talent whose legacy might be tarnished if the titles are rescinded.
"He could have played for any team in the world and still would have been one of the best," Carragher said. "But he chose his club to be Manchester City, and if the wages he earned were inflated because of the financial breaches, then his achievements could be called into question." Carragher criticized the club’s recent communications as "gaslighting" of players, former players, and supporters, suggesting that the organization is trying to persuade its loyal base that everything is fine despite the damning findings. He warned that as the legal process drags on, more former City players may distance themselves from the club, frustrated by the prospect that their hard‑won accolades could be erased.
In summary, Carragher’s stance is clear: Manchester City should lose the trophies won during the period of financial misconduct, and the owners who oversaw that era should be stripped of their positions. He believes that the integrity of English football depends on holding even the most affluent clubs accountable, and that the emotional value of winning – the feeling that no medal can replace – must be protected for players, fans, and the sport as a whole.