Rio Ferdinand joked he is due a seventh league medal after the Man City verdict. Here is the 2011/12 title race behind it, and what is still unknown.
Rio Ferdinand has reacted to news that Manchester City have been found guilty of breaking the Premier League's financial rules by joking that he is owed one more league winner's medal from his Old Trafford days.
Posting on X, the former United defender wrote: "Another Premier League medal to be added to the cabinet." He then shared a photo of himself with his medals on Instagram, saying he was happy for a seventh to be "sent in the post".
Why 2011/12?
The joke points back to 2011/12. United and City finished level on 89 points, and City took the title on goal difference, by eight goals, after Sergio Agüero's stoppage-time winner against QPR on the final day. Ferdinand won six Premier League titles at United, so a title that season would have made it seven.
What we know so far
City were charged with 115 breaches of the league's financial rules covering 2009 to 2018. The charges were brought in February 2023 and the hearing ran from September to December 2024.
Reports say the independent commission has found City guilty on the vast majority of them. The Guardian reported that the club face sanctions after more than 100 breaches.
City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal. A club spokesperson said its position is unchanged from its February 2023 statement.
No sanctions have been announced. The penalties available under league rules range from fines and points deductions to expulsion.
What it means for United
For now, nothing changes on the pitch or in the record books, and nothing has been announced about past results or titles. With an appeal expected, this is likely to run for some time. We'll update this story when the Premier League confirms any sanctions.
Based on reporting by Manchester Evening News: Man Utd. This article was written by Manchester World.