Manchester City star admits, 'I hope I don't lose my titles' in wake of Premier League verdict

The Sky Blues have been charged with over 100 breaches over a nine-year period and have lodged an appeal to fight back - but there is still a degree of uncertainty in the air over Eastlands. While some have suggested that Manchester City could be punished with relegation or transfer bans, it seems more than possible that the six-time Premier League winners could be stripped of their trophies.

Now, Sport Witness have relayed comments that ex-City defender Manuel Akanji made to Nau, when he was asked about the situation at his former club. "I'm still in touch with a few players, but I don't know any more than you do," the Swiss defender said.

"We were told to stay calm, that they had everything under control and nothing major had happened. I trust the people in charge at Man City that that's the case.

I hope I don't lose my titles. That would be a bit of a shame.

But I'm only seeing it all in the news, too," he continued, before adding, "Who knows what else they might dig up." While Akanji won two Premier League championships at City, along with two FA Cups and a Champions League, the 31-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola's side in 2022. City are accused of breaking rules between 2009 and 2018 - which could mean that Akanji himself escapes having his titles stripped, thoughplenty of his former team-mates would not be so lucky.

It hasalready been discussed in Italythat Akanji's new club, Inter Milan, were direct victims of City's charges, given that they were beaten by the Citizens in the 2023 Champions League final. City travel to Liverpool this weekend when Premier League action resumes after theinternational break.

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge - both past and present - Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career.

He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.