Kyle Walker, the former Manchester City right-back and club captain, has publicly acknowledged the possibility of losing the Premier League titles he won during the club’s recent dominant run amid an ongoing investigation into financial misconduct at the club. Walker, who now plays for Burnley in the Championship, said he might have to remove a tattoo celebrating City’s unprecedented four consecutive league titles should the club be stripped of those honors.
An independent commission recently found Manchester City guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations, related to inflating revenues by over £900 million through illicit state-backed sponsorships. While the verdicts pertain to activities between 2009 and 2018, disciplinary measures could affect the club’s achievements from 2020 to 2024, including the historic league title streak. City is appealing the ruling.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive! alongside Andy Goldstein, Walker emphasized the players’ perspective and defended their on-field accomplishments. “All we did is go out and play our best football as a team,” he said, adding that he would continue to stand by his teammates. “What we did and what we achieved in that space of time was probably incredible and probably won’t be done ever again.” However, he acknowledged the reputational damage facing the club, noting, “From the outside looking in, it doesn’t look great and we have to address that.”
In addition to the financial breaches, revelations have surfaced concerning the stadium naming rights. A Freedom of Information request revealed that Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi ownership secured a £10 million-a-year naming rights deal for the Etihad Stadium from Etihad Airways, which is state-funded. By contrast, the local council receives no more than £750,000 annually. The stadium itself was constructed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games at a cost of £112 million financed by taxpayers and lottery funds and is leased by Manchester City Council to the club.
Professor Jon Silver of Sheffield University’s Urban Institute called for further examination of the arrangement, stating that since the land and facilities remain publicly owned yet are used by a private football club, greater scrutiny is warranted. Manchester City Council responded by affirming that income from its freehold agreement with the club—including rental fees, naming rights, and potential revenue from European fixtures—is earmarked exclusively for reinvestment in sport and leisure facilities throughout Manchester.