In Manchester, people say City scandal is 'shame for football'

In Manchester, public sentiment is reeling in response to allegations of financial wrongdoing at Manchester City FC. On the streets, people expressed shock and dismay over the scale of the scandal, with some even calling for the club to be relegated from the Premier League. Karem Fagega, a 21-year-old student, expressed disbelief at the downfall of a team he once considered great, stating, "it's a shame for football."

An independent commission uncovered that the Abu Dhabi-backed club had arranged "sham" contracts with commercial partners to artificially inflate its revenues and reduce costs by over £900 million ($1.2 billion) between 2009 and 2018. Despite winning three Premier League titles and one FA Cup and three League Cups during this period, City's actions have been deemed "wrong."

Reactions ranged from disbelief to disappointment. Sabrina Lodi, a 33-year-old account manager, noted that while she recognized other clubs engaged in similar practices, Manchester City was the one that got caught. Connor Emery, a 25-year-old fan of Liverpool, admitted he had not expected the club to face any trouble. British Sports Minister Lisa Nandy warned that the ultimate sanction is severe, potentially including expulsion from the Premier League, though many believe a relegation or fine is more likely.

Former City defender Micah Richards expressed devastation, while Roy Keane suggested players who were part of the club should discard their medals. The club's CEO, Ferran Soriano, dismissed the verdict as a "Premier League conspiracy theory" and vowed vindication.