'I'd stick those medals in the bin': Keane and Rooney react as City face relegation calls after £830m 'sham' contracts verdict

Roy Keane has said he would throw his "medals in the bin" if he were a Manchester City player after the Premier League confirmed the club used "sham" contracts to secretly funnel more than £830 million into their football operations over nine years.

The former Manchester United captain told ITV Sport: "If I was a player, I'd be 100% sticking those medals in the bin. Of course you would, it's cheating. They won it on the pitch because cheating was going on."

He added: "They knew it would hurt a lot of people, but they've still done it."

City won eight trophies, including three Premier League titles, during the 2009-2018 period covered by the charges. They continue to deny wrongdoing and plan to appeal.

What did Rooney say?

Wayne Rooney, who finished second to City in 2011-12 with United, said on the Stick to United podcast that he would not accept a retrospective Premier League medal.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable about accepting another Premier League medal if I'm being honest, because I don't think we deserve it. We didn't do enough that season to win the league," he said.

He added: "When I've heard of ex-teammates saying 'we've won another medal,' I'm happy with the five I've won. I wouldn't want this one just sat there 15 years later because City cheated."

Rio Ferdinand and David de Gea both posted on social media suggesting they should receive retrospective titles. Rooney disagreed.

But Rooney does want City punished severely: "I do think we're going to see City getting relegated. I'd put them in the lowest league they can go in and then put restrictions on them in terms of how much money they can spend for the next three or four seasons."

He explained: "If you're just putting them in the Championship, they're going to come back up. Where I feel if they have restrictions, League Two, whatever, that could be very difficult for them. I'd go as big as I can really."

What did Pochettino say?

Mauricio Pochettino, who managed Southampton, Spurs and Chelsea during the period of City's breaches, said: "We have lived through a period of deception. Whatever punishment they choose, it's impossible to turn back time. It's done a lot of damage."

He questioned how City were allowed to operate unchecked: "Where were the controls? I remember being at Tottenham and not having the economic possibility of a transfer for 18 months. We were fighting for titles, getting to the semi-finals of the Champions League without being able to do a transfer. They were so strict with us but also so lenient with others."

What has the wider reaction been?

La Liga president Javier Tebas told BBC Sport: "The most severe sanction provided for under the Premier League regulations should be applied. Given the number of years involved, the repeated breaches, the denial and the lack of cooperation."

Former Stoke boss Tony Pulis said he felt "cheated" after his side lost to City in the 2011 FA Cup final.

BBC Sport reports that other top-flight clubs are seeking legal advice over possible compensation claims.