Pulis says he feels ‘cheated’ by Stoke’s FA Cup final loss to Man City

Former Stoke manager Tony Pulis expressed his disappointment over the club's FA Cup final loss to Manchester City in 2011. Pulis, who was in charge of Stoke at the time, believes he was cheated by the defeat. The 1-0 loss at Wembley was a painful blow for Pulis, as he had hoped to lead Stoke to their first major trophy since 1972. Manchester City's victory marked their first significant success under Abu Dhabi-based ownership, paving the way for a decade of dominance.

The recent revelation that City were found guilty of breaching financial rules by the Premier League has cast doubt on their achievements. The charges, stemming from an investigation spanning 2009 to 2018, accused the club of providing inaccurate financial information, failing to cooperate with an investigation, and violating financial sustainability rules.

City has vehemently denied the allegations, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak confident of proving the club's innocence. The club is expected to appeal the decision, which could result in a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, or a significant fine.

Pulis recently shared his thoughts on the matter, stating that the verdict and the situation left him with a sour taste. He acknowledged that the process is far from over, as City are expected to appeal, but expressed his belief that trophies and titles won under Abu Dhabi ownership may be stripped. While he doesn't expect Manchester City to return the 2011 FA Cup and winners' medals, Pulis still feels cheated by the club's loss to his former team.