The controversy surrounding Manchester City has left Micah Richards feeling emotional, stating he is "devastated." Roy Keane was asked whether his friend and fellow pundit might lose his Premier League winner's medal.

Last month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of numerous charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules spanning nine seasons, from 2009/10 to 2017/18. Manchester City denied any wrongdoing and promptly appealed the verdict.

If the appeal fails, severe penalties could follow, including points deductions, fines, transfer bans, stripping of titles and trophies, and even expulsion from the Premier League.

If Manchester City are stripped of the trophies won during this period, Richards would also be affected. He was part of the team that won the Premier League in 2011/12 and the FA Cup in 2010/11, both under manager Roberto Mancini.

Ahead of Manchester City's first match since the guilty verdict, an away game against Liverpool on Sunday, Richards told Sky Sports: "I'd say I'm absolutely devastated. More so for the fans and what they've had to go through and deal with over the years.

"I came through Manchester City's academy. I went there when I was 14. Everything surrounding City — what's meant to have happened, what's not meant to have happened — I put my heart and soul into that club.

"They gave me an amazing opportunity to progress from the academy into the first team.

"My dream as a kid was to win the FA Youth Cup, which I didn't. Then I won the FA Cup, and then I went on to win the Premier League.

"And now for it all to be surrounded by controversy, it's just very confusing for me. You hear people say there are allegations, and then City are saying they have irrefutable evidence.

"It just leaves a very sour taste for myself, for the fans, and for everyone at the club. It's devastating.

"What's disappointing for me is that it's been going on for so long. City keep talking about this evidence, and if they have it, I want to see it. It would put the fans at ease because they're always the last to know everything.

"But as players, what can we do? We just go out there and give our all. I literally put my knees on the line, everything, for Manchester City Football Club, and that's how much I love the club.

"I would do anything for the opportunity that the club gave me.

"I'm in a difficult situation now where my integrity, my medals, or whatever, are being questioned.

"But I know that I gave everything, 100%, for that club. And as a player, that's all you can do."

Keane previously stated that if he were a Manchester City player, he would "throw his medals in the bin" following the verdict on the 115 Premier League charges.

Revisiting the topic on Sunday, Keane said: "I said a few weeks ago—some people might have thought it was strong—but if I thought there was something dodgy going on, I wouldn't feel like I'd won a league title. Absolutely not.

"We always talk about players giving their all, playing through injuries. But that's your job.You just want everyone else to be , to be honest, and to do things the right way.

"Manchester City had incredible top-tier stars on their bench, which made them stronger and helped them cross the finish line first to win titles when competing against teams like Liverpool.

"That's how top-level sports work. But you still hope for a bit of honesty, and that's where respect comes into play.

"It's not personal against anyone; it's against the club. What about all the other teams who are trying to be honest?

"Of course I know Micah, but there are teams like Liverpool who are also doing their best—how do they feel? What about their emotions?

"What about the fans who travel far to follow their team, spending a lot of money? We always praise the Premier League, saying what a great league and excellent brand it has been over the past 10 to 15 years.

"And we always say that there still seems to be a bit of integrity in this competition. Teams at the bottom will fight to the end against stronger teams and give their all, but you want fairness both on and off the field."

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