Schmeichel and Stam split on stripping Man City titles after guilty verdict

Peter Schmeichel and Jaap Stam have publicly disagreed on whether Manchester City’s titles should be stripped following the independent panel’s guilty verdict on 114 financial rule breaches — with both former defenders united only in demanding severe consequences.

Schmeichel, speaking on Viaplay, argued against expulsion from the Premier League or removing City’s titles, instead proposing a package of punishments he believes would carry a lasting deterrent. “For every year they’re in the Premier League, the next five years, they start on -25 points,” he said. “A transfer ban for five years and a big fine. And then I think the ownership should be forced to sell the club. I don’t think they’re fit to run this football club.”

Schmeichel added that bans should be imposed on all individuals found to have been involved, preventing them from operating in football. On the question of titles, he was notably relaxed: “Take the titles away or let them keep the titles. I don’t think it matters one way or the other.”

Stam took a harder line on that specific point. “I think they need to strip them of the titles because they’ve been cheating in getting them,” the former Manchester United and Netherlands defender replied. “But I totally agree with Peter in that they need to get punished somehow. I think it’s very important that the Premier League sets an example for everybody else that this is never going to happen again.”

The same three-person independent commission that delivered the guilty verdict will determine City’s sanctions, though the Premier League is entitled to make recommendations. City retain the right to appeal, and the outcome of the entire case remains subject to that process.

The verdict looms over City’s on-pitch form at a delicate moment. They returned from the international break with a 3-0 victory at Anfield, second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki sealing the win after Ryan Gravenberch’s red card shifted the contest. Gary Neville acknowledged the performance’s quality but admitted he could not offer it unreserved praise. “To come and win at Anfield is really difficult, we should be eulogising over them without a but or any hesitation,” the Sky Sports pundit said, “but there is that thing in the back of you” — with the points accumulated this season potentially counting for nothing depending on the final ruling.