Brief

Wayne Rooney says he would not accept a Premier League medal if Man City stripped of 2012 title

Rooney, who won five Premier League crowns with United, said he would not feel right claiming another medal if City were stripped of their 2012 title.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:42:20 GMT

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has stated he would not be comfortable accepting a Premier League winner’s medal if Manchester City were stripped of their 2011‑12 title. The comments came during a podcast interview on the "Stick To United" show, where Rooney reflected on the 2012 season and the possibility of United being awarded the crown if City were found guilty of financial rule breaches.

Rooney, who has five Premier League titles to his name, said he does not believe United earned the 2012 title and would feel "devastated" if he were to claim it. He added that the team was six or seven points clear with four or five games left and that they "threw it away".

The remarks come after an independent tribunal found Manchester City guilty of 114 of 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s Financial Fair Play rules. The tribunal’s findings could lead to sanctions, including the stripping of City’s titles from 2009‑10 to 2017‑18.

Key facts

Wayne Rooney said he would not accept a Premier League medal if Manchester City were stripped of the 2011‑12 title (standard.co.uk)
Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of 115 alleged Financial Fair Play breaches

Background

The tribunal’s verdict followed a period of investigation into Manchester City’s financial conduct, with the club appealing the findings. The potential stripping of the 2011‑12 title would see Manchester United awarded the crown, a season in which they lost the title to City on goal difference after Sergio Aguero’s stoppage‑time goal against Queens Park Rangers.

Why it matters

If Manchester City were stripped of the 2011‑12 title, Manchester United would be awarded the trophy, altering the historical record of Premier League champions.