Tony Pulis watches from the touchline during a Premier League match, reflecting on his frustration following Manchester City’s financial guilty verdict.
Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis says he feels “cheated” after Manchester City were found guilty of most Premier League financial regulation charges, reviving questions over their 2011 FA Cup final victory.
Pulis led Stoke City in the 2011 Wembley final, where Manchester City secured a 1-0 victory. The result handed City their first major trophy under Sheikh Mansour’s ownership and marked the beginning of a highly successful era.
However, the latest verdict has reopened debate around some of Manchester City’s achievements during the period covered by the Premier League investigation. An independent commission found the club guilty on all but one of 115 charges, although City deny wrongdoing and intend to appeal.
Pulis Reflects On Stoke’s Wembley Defeat
Pulis managed Stoke during their narrow defeat at Wembley in May 2011. The loss denied Stoke their first major trophy since winning the League Cup in 1972.
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Pulis said Stoke supporters still ask whether the club could eventually receive the FA Cup.
He acknowledged that such a move remains highly unlikely. However, he said the latest developments had left him with a bitter feeling about the defeat.
“But I still feel cheated.”
Pulis also said he does not expect Manchester City to return the 2011 FA Cup or the winners’ medals awarded to their players.
He further suggested that any eventual punishment would more likely involve financial penalties or points deductions.
Manchester City Found Guilty Of Major Breaches
The Premier League brought its charges after a lengthy investigation into Manchester City’s conduct between 2009-10 and 2022-23.
The allegations covered several areas of the club’s financial reporting and regulatory obligations. They included claims involving inaccurate financial information, player and manager payments, financial sustainability rules and cooperation with investigators.
According to reports on the independent commission’s findings, City were found guilty of almost all the charges. The commission also found issues involving sponsorship arrangements and financial information provided to football authorities.
The findings relate to a period when City won multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups and the Champions League.
2011 FA Cup Victory Back In Spotlight
Manchester City defeated Stoke 1-0 at Wembley through Yaya Touré’s second-half goal.
The victory ended City’s 35-year wait for a major trophy. It also became the first major silverware won under the club’s Abu Dhabi ownership.
Now, Pulis’ comments have brought that historic final back into the conversation.
However, there has been no indication that the 2011 FA Cup result will be changed. Any sanctions would depend on the formal outcome of the disciplinary process and subsequent appeals.
Manchester City Maintain Their Position
Manchester City have consistently denied the allegations throughout the case.
Following the reported verdict, the club maintained that significant parts of the legal process remain unresolved. City are expected to appeal the findings and continue their challenge through the available process.
The club’s position means the latest findings do not represent the final conclusion of the dispute.
Key Manchester City Case Milestones
2008: Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group completes the Manchester City takeover.
2011: City beat Stoke 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup.
2020: UEFA’s two-year European ban against City is overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, although the club receives a €10 million fine for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
2023: The Premier League charges Manchester City with 115 alleged breaches covering several seasons.
2024: The independent commission hearing begins after years of investigation and legal disputes.
September 2026: Reports emerge that City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges. City maintain their innocence and plan to appeal.
What Happens Next?
The next major stage will involve determining the consequences of the findings and handling Manchester City’s appeal.
Possible sanctions discussed in reporting include fines, points deductions and other sporting penalties. However, the final punishment has not been established, so claims about specific sanctions should be treated as speculation until formally announced.
For Pulis and Stoke supporters, meanwhile, the 2011 FA Cup defeat remains a painful memory.
The latest Manchester City case has simply reopened an old question about what that Wembley victory means in light of the commission’s findings.
