Roy Keane hits out at Rodri: "I don't agree with his message" after Manchester City verdict

Roy Keane has jumped straight into the debate over Manchester City's punishment. The former Manchester United midfielder and current TV pundit took aim at Barcelona's Spain international Rodri Hernandez after he defended Manchester City following the club's guilty verdict on 114 of 115 charges for breaching Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018.

• Roy Keane hits out at Rodri's stance after Manchester City's guilty verdict.
• The club was found guilty on 114 of 115 financial charges.
• Keane insists City cheated and must accept the consequences without complaint.
• No punishment has been announced yet and City are preparing to appeal the verdict.

Roy Keane's blunt response to Rodri's defence of City

The Irishman pulled no punches when reacting to Rodri's message of support for Manchester City. Keane was ruthless: "About time. This has been going on for a long time. I certainly don't agree with Rodri's message. It was his decision, it was the club that chose to cheat."

I don't agree with Rodri's message. It was his decision, it was the club that chose to cheat.

Keane believes the Spain midfielder was wrong to defend the club that signed him from Atletico Madrid in 2019. For the 53-year-old, the Barcelona player's position ignores the severity of what happened and shifts the focus away from those actually responsible.

Man City found guilty of 114 Premier League financial charges

The ruling is a huge blow to Manchester City's sporting project. The club was found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges it faced for breaching financial rules over almost a decade. The verdict comes after years of investigation and leaves the club facing an unprecedented scenario in England's top flight.

What punishment could Manchester City face after the verdict

No penalty has been officially announced yet, but the range of possibilities is wide and hugely significant. The club could lose points, be stripped of titles won during the period under investigation and even face relegation. On top of that, there is a real risk of losing major sponsorship deals if commercial partners decide to walk away.

Keane is in no doubt: "Whatever they have won in recent years, they deserve to be punished. It is hard to know where to start and finish with it. They cheated and they have been found guilty. Now they have to take their consequences."

Manchester City prepare appeal against landmark ruling

Manchester City refuse to sit still. The club owned by Abu Dhabi interests is preparing to appeal a verdict that shakes the very foundations of the Premier League. The appeal opens a new chapter in a process that could still drag on for months.

Keane demands City accept responsibility

They cheated and they have been found guilty. Now they have to take their consequences. It is a shock to be found guilty of 114 charges.

The former Republic of Ireland international sees no room for half measures. In his view, the scale of the ruling should be enough for City to accept the punishment without resorting to legal manoeuvres. The bluntness of his words reflects the sense of outrage surrounding the case across much of British football.

Rodri caught in the middle of the storm

Rodri Hernandez defended Manchester City after the outcome of the proceedings became known. The Barcelona midfielder, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024 and shone for five seasons at the Etihad, came out in support of his former club before returning to LaLiga.

His stance has not gone down well with figures like Roy Keane, who believe the trophy haul City collected over the last decade is now permanently tainted. For the Irishman, no title or sporting success can justify what has happened.

The financial fallout from the verdict

Beyond the purely sporting side, the punishment could hit Manchester City's finances hard. Losing sponsorship backing looms as a genuine threat for a club used to handling massive sums. The reputational damage caused by the verdict could lead to broken contracts and much closer scrutiny of its future commercial deals.

Frequently asked questions about the Man City case and Roy Keane's criticism