20 November 2023 , 22:46
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Rio Ferdinand says he will demand Joleon Lescott's Premier League winners' medal if Manchester City are punished for Financial Fair Play breaches.
City are under investigation after being charged with over 100 FFP violations by the Premier League - all of which they deny. Following Everton's record-breaking 10 point points deduction - announced last week - there are suggestions that City could face far worse given the nature of the allegations against them.
That could, potentially, include past honours being stripped - a situation unprecedented in English football history. However, City's 115 Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges are also unparalleled.
Now, speaking on his FIVE podcast Manchester United icon Ferdinand, cheekily declared: "I'm ringing Joleon Lescott up if anything happens with City and they get punished. Joleon, I want your medal hand delivered to my house, and I'm wearing that medal. That Aguero moment's gone."
City famously pipped United to the title when they won their first-ever Premier League crown in 2011-12, courtesy of Sergio Aguero's winner against QPR. Lescott won four major honours at the Etihad, making 160 appearances following his arrival from Everton in 2009 before departing in 2014. He also played for England 26 times, often sharing the pitch with Ferdinand.
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City were charged with 115 breaches of the Premier League's financial rules with regards to sponsors and contracts over nine years in February, following a four-year investigation. The club has consistently maintained its innocence, claiming it has "irrefutable evidence" that it hasn't broken any rules.
The club stands accused of not providing "a true and fair view of the club's financial position", failing to "include full details" of player and manager pay, not complying with financial fair play rules, and not cooperating with a Premier League investigation that finally concluded after more than four years.
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