Tony Pulis Claims "Cheated" Out of 2011 FA Cup by Manchester City Amid Financial Charges
Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis expressed a sense of being "cheated" after losing the 2011 FA Cup final to Manchester City, now that the club faces extensive Premier League charges for financial rule breaches.
Tony Pulis, the former manager of Stoke City, has stated he feels "cheated" after his team's 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final. This sentiment comes in the wake of the Premier League finding Manchester City guilty of the "vast majority" of 115 charges related to alleged financial rule-breaking.
Manchester City's victory in the 2011 FA Cup final marked their first major trophy since 1976, launching a period of significant success under their Abu Dhabi ownership. Yaya Touré scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute at Wembley.
Following the Premier League's verdict, Pulis told the BBC that fans of Stoke City have contacted him, inquiring whether the club will be awarded the FA Cup trophy retroactively. "We lost, but to a team that have been found guilty of breaking the financial rules set out by the Premier League," Pulis stated. He added, "In doing so, they did not just beat Stoke in an FA Cup final, they collected a stack of titles and went on to completely dominate English football for more than a decade."
Pulis questioned the potential punishment for Manchester City, suggesting that "all Stoke supporters will be demanding that City pass the trophy over and every club that has been affected by their actions will be considering their legal options." He acknowledged that he does not expect Manchester City to offer back the trophy or winners' medals, anticipating a points deduction and a substantial fine as more likely outcomes.
Manahem City was charged in February 2023 by the Premier League with alleged breaches spanning a 14-year period, from the 2009-10 to the 2017-18 seasons. The charges include failing to report accurate financial information, not providing full details of manager Roberto Mancini's pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13, and allegedly failing to provide complete information on player payments from 2010-11 to 2015-16. The club is also accused of failing to cooperate with the investigation between 2018 and 2023.
During the period covered by the charges, Manchester City secured eight Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, four FA Cups, and seven EFL Cups. Reports suggest that the verdict could lead to legal claims amounting to as much as £800 million from rival clubs.
Clubs such as Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United had previously served formal notices reserving their right to take action should Manchester City be found guilty. These clubs are reportedly assembling cases to claim lost income resulting from alleged unfair competition.
Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In response to the verdict, club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak stated that the club remains confident in clearing its name and proving its innocence. He suggested that the legal process has been lengthy and urged fans to consider the club's statement, which emphasized a belief in due process and an independent, impartial regulator. Al Mubarak also noted that while there is significant public discussion, "nothing has changed" regarding the club's position.
