Micah Richards 'absolutely devastated' after Manchester City found guilty of sham contracts
Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards says he felt "absolutely devastated" after the Premier League found the club guilty of arranging sham contracts to disguise more than £830m in secret funding. City deny wrongdoing and have until 2 October to appeal. The breaches cover the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons.
- What happened: An independent commission found City guilty of all charges related to financial rule breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18.
- Key finding: City arranged "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise secret funding of more than £830m.
- Co-operation: Guilty of all but one charge relating to failure to co-operate with the investigation.
- Appeal deadline: City have until 2 October to submit an appeal.
- Club response: City continue to deny any wrongdoing.
- Context: City won the Premier League three times during the nine-year period.
What was said
"The reports were troubling. I saw the words which were used by the Premier League in 'sham contracts' and I felt absolutely devastated."
"I was at that club since I was 14 years old, I would die for that club. I achieved my dream at Manchester City, but then to hear these reports, and not only me as an ex-player, but the fans, what they have to go through, absolutely devastating."
"My digs man, he rang me and he was literally in tears and asking me about information, which I don't know. I haven't got the answers to tell him."
"That's someone who's supported the club for 60-odd years and the uncertainty around it is just heartbreaking."
"To have a headline of this nature for a club that I love so much, it's been difficult. If you listen to the reports, they are damning."
"I feel saddened, I feel angry, I feel a little bit confused because, on the other side, you have City's side of the story."
"I feel for the players... they'll almost feel like a lot of their career is going to have an asterisk, or a lot of people will be calling it a sham."
"The players were told everything was fine. What the [City] hierarchy are coming out with now, they're just gaslighting."
"I think the titles should be taken off their list. Whether other clubs get them is probably slightly different. City have not just hurt their own players."
"Those players will never get that feeling and it was robbed by Man City."
"No-one remembers the medal. Giving trophies or medals back, it doesn't mean anything. It's not about medals, it's about feelings."
Richards, who came through City's youth academy and was part of their 2011-12 title-winning squad, revealed how the verdict has affected those closest to the club. He described living in digs with a local family who are long-term City supporters, one of whom rang him in tears seeking answers. Carragher was more forthright, accusing the City hierarchy of gaslighting and calling for the club's titles to be stripped. The two ex-players highlight the human impact of the verdict on those who represented the club during the period under investigation.
Why the verdict hits former players hardest
The charges span nine seasons, from 2009-10 to 2017-18. During that period City won the Premier League three times, including the 2011-12 title that Micah Richards helped secure. For players like Richards, the medals are real, but the commission's findings about "sham contracts" and secret funding of over £830m cast a shadow over those achievements. Richards spoke of the club being part of his identity since age 14, making the verdict deeply personal.
Jamie Carragher, who retired in 2013, focused on the players' emotional loss. He argued that no one remembers the medal, and that returning trophies means nothing compared to the feelings of those who were robbed of a title. He specifically recalled the 2013-14 season, when City overtook Liverpool to win the league by two points, denying his former team-mate Steven Gerrard the closest he came to a Premier League title. Carragher believes that season was taken from those players.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak stated on Saturday that the club remains confident of proving its innocence. On Tuesday, chief executive Ferran Soriano said in a video message to staff and players that "irrefutable evidence" had been "ignored" by the commission. The club's public stance contrasts sharply with the emotional testimonies of Richards and Carragher, setting up a tense period before the 2 October appeal deadline.
Talking points
- Should Manchester City be stripped of their titles from the 2009-18 period, as Jamie Carragher demands, or is that a step too far given the appeals process?
- Micah Richards says he feels "saddened, angry and confused" – is that a fair reflection of how City fans feel, or should they be angrier at the club's hierarchy?
- Carragher accuses City's owners of gaslighting players and fans. Is that a reasonable description of the club's response, or an unfair attack?
- If the titles are removed, should they be awarded to the runners-up – including Liverpool in 2013-14 – or simply left vacant?
What happens next
Manchester City have until 2 October to submit an appeal against the independent commission's verdict. The club continues to deny any wrongdoing, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano publicly backing the club's innocence. Until the appeal process concludes, the Premier League findings stand, and the debate over sanctions – including potential title stripping – will intensify. Former players like Richards and Carragher have already made their feelings clear, and the coming weeks will reveal whether City can successfully challenge the "damning" verdict.
Frequently asked questions
What were Manchester City found guilty of?
An independent commission found City guilty of all charges related to breaches of financial rules between 2009-10 and 2017-18, including arranging "sham contracts" with commercial partners to disguise secret funding of more than £830m. They were also found guilty of all but one charge relating to failure to co-operate with the investigation.
What did Micah Richards say about the verdict?
Richards said he felt "absolutely devastated" and "saddened, angry and confused" after reading the Premier League's findings. He also revealed that his former landlord, a lifelong City fan, rang him in tears.
Do Manchester City have to appeal by a certain date?
Yes, City have until 2 October to submit an appeal. The club continues to deny any wrongdoing and is confident of proving its innocence, according to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
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