Micah Richards 'devastated' as Man City found guilty of financial rule breaches

Micah Richards has described feeling ‘devastated’ after Manchester City were found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules, saying the verdict leaves his own integrity in question as a former player who gave everything to the club.

Richards, 38, came through City’s academy and spent a decade at the club, winning the Premier League and FA Cup before moving into punditry. Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Anfield, he said the verdict had left him in a deeply conflicted position.

“In terms of Man City, it’ll galvanise the players,” Richards said. “We’ve all been in dressing rooms where there is outside noise, you all come together. I feel devastated, really, for the fans. Coming through the Man City academy all the way to the first-team, winning trophies, for all that to be in question now is very confusing.”

Richards acknowledged the competing claims from both sides of the case but said the prolonged process had been unfair on supporters and former players alike. “You’ve got two sides, one saying there’s charges, the other saying there is irrefutable evidence of innocence. It just leaves me and fans so devastated. I feel let down by the fact that it’s dragged on for so long.”

He was candid about the personal toll the verdict has taken. “My integrity is being questioned. I’m in a difficult position. I’ve given everything for this club — I’ve literally got one knee because of this club.”

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane offered a blunter assessment alongside Richards. “Some people think this is a bit strong, but I wouldn’t feel like I’ve earned a league title if there was dodgy dealings going on in the background. Absolutely not,” Keane said.

“You just hope everyone is trying to do things the right way and on the same page. They had unbelievable superstars in that team, but you hope there is honesty. That’s where respect comes in. You want fairness on and off the pitch. The English game has always had that and there has to be punishment.”