Ex-Fifa official: Stripping Man City of titles is 'harsh in the extreme'

Manchester City's players and managers over the years don't deserve to be stripped of their numerous titles despite the guilty verdict.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that the ripping away of history would be "harsh".

The Citizens have been found guilty on 114 charges, but Khaldoon Al Mubarak continues to voice confidence of the club's innocence.

While an appeal is likely to come from the Etihad Stadium, Keith Wyness has already told Football Insider that he expects a 50-point deduction from the Premier League.

That would almost guarantee relegation to the Championship, but many rival fans believe that the punishment should be much more defining.

Potential punishments have ranged from a simple fine to being banishing to the National League, as well as having their titles stripped during the years subjected to the investigation.

Taking Man City's titles would be 'harsh'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett believes that a fine and points deduction would be more than enough for the Citizens.

"I think that's harsh in the extreme. Would taking away medals that players have won, a history, impact and all that goes with it be fair?" he said.

"I think football seems to have got itself in a situation where it's trying to condition itself, and as a result of that, it impacts on the game.

"If they want to provide this sort of platform in terms of how much you spend, and where you spend it, I think that we're moving in the wrong direction.

"We live in a world of competition; therefore, if Manchester City owners have a pot of gold and they want to spend it, then every fan would say 'Come to our club' to players."

Which trophies did Man City win during the breaches?

The breaches going against Man City range from the 2009-10 season to 2017-18, in which time they lifted eight major trophies.

Sergio Aguero's era-defining goal against QPR would be no longer, while another two Premier League titles are the source of controversy.

Pep Guardiola's 'Centurions' season would no longer exist either, with one FA Cup and three League Cups stripped from the record if rival fans got their way.

None of the emotions or memories would vanish from Man City minds, though, and that is all that those at the Etihad will care about.