Micah Richards became emotional while discussing the ongoing Manchester City scandal, stating that he felt "deeply hurt," as Roy Keane was asked whether his close friend and fellow pundit might lose his Premier League winner's medals.

Last month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of multiple charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial regulations over nine seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18. Manchester City has denied wrongdoing and immediately appealed the decision.

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

If Manchester City loses trophies from that period, Richards will be affected. He was part of the 2011/12 Premier League-winning squad and the 2010/11 FA Cup-winning team, both achieved under Roberto Mancini.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Manchester City's first match since the shocking guilty verdict, an away fixture against Liverpool on Sunday, Richards said: "I'll say I'm deeply hurt. Especially for the fans, everything they've had to go through and endure over the years.

"I came through Manchester City's academy—I joined when I was 14 years old. All the controversy surrounding Manchester City—what should have happened, what shouldn't have happened—I gave everything for that club.

"They gave me an incredible opportunity to progress from the academy to 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 moved on to the Premier League.

"And now everything is surrounded by controversy and it's genuinely confusing for me. You hear one side saying there are allegations, and then Manchester City saying they have irrefutable evidence.

"It leaves a very sour taste for me, the fans, and everyone at the club. It's deeply upsetting.

"What disappoints me is how long this has been going on. Manchester City has spoken about this evidence, and if they have it, I want to see it. It would also help the fans, because they're always the last to know anything.

"But as a player, what else can we do? We just go out and try our best. I gave everything, sacrificed my knees, everything I had for Manchester City Football Club—that's how much I loved the club.

"Whatever for the opportunity the club gave me.

"And now I'm in a very difficult position where my integrity, my medals, everything is being questioned.

"But I know I gave everything to that club, 100 percent. And as a player, that's all I 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 115 Premier League charges.

Revisiting the topic on Sunday, Keane said: "I said it a few weeks ago—some people thought it might be a bit harsh—but if I thought there was something suspicious going on behind the scenes, I wouldn't feel like I'd won a league title. Not at all.

"We always say players give everything, play through injuries. But that's your job.You just hope everyone's and that everyone's being fair and doing things the right way.

"Manchester City have incredibly talented players on the bench that make them stronger and help them go that extra mile against teams like Liverpool to win titles.

"That's how top-level sport works. But you still want a bit of honesty, and that's where respect comes into the game.

"This isn't personal against anyone—it's just about the club. What about all the other teams trying to do things honestly?

"I know Micah, of course, but what about teams like Liverpool who work hard—how do they feel? What are their emotions?

"What about the fans who travel north and south and spend a lot of money following their team? We're always praising the Premier League, a brilliant league, a brilliant brand over the last 10 to 15 years.

"Because we also always say there seems to be integrity in the competition. Teams lower down will battle right to the end against the big teams, give everything, but you want fair play on and off the pitch."

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