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

Tony Pulis, the former manager of Stoke City, expressed his disappointment over the club's FA Cup final loss to Manchester City in 2011. Pulis, who led Stoke at the time, felt cheated by the defeat at Wembley Stadium. The match ended in a 1-0 loss for Stoke, with City emerging victorious to win their first significant success under Abu Dhabi-based ownership.

This moment marked the beginning of Manchester City's decade-long dominance in English football. However, recent allegations of financial breaches by City have cast doubt on their achievements. The Premier League initiated an investigation into City's financial dealings between 2009 and 2018, leading to 115 charges against the club.

The independent commission found City guilty of breaching financial rules, though the final decision remains unannounced. The charges could potentially result in a points deduction, expulsion from the Premier League, or a substantial fine. City has denied the allegations and plans to appeal the ruling. The controversy has reignited calls for the club to relinquish their titles won since their 2008 takeover.

Pulis, in a recent BBC Sport column, shared his feelings of being cheated by Stoke's loss, stating that the situation has left a sour taste in his mouth. While he believes the club will not have their trophies or titles stripped, a points deduction and hefty fine seem more likely outcomes.