Pulis says reported City finding leaves Stoke fans feeling cheated
The former Stoke manager says supporters will want the 2011 FA Cup returned, but no sanctions have been decided and Manchester City is expected to appeal.
Tony Pulis says a reported finding against Manchester City has changed how he views Stoke City’s 1–0 defeat in the 2011 FA Cup final, leaving him and supporters feeling cheated.
BBC Sport reported, citing unnamed sources, that an independent panel found City guilty of most of the 115 financial-rule breaches alleged by the Premier League. The process remains ongoing and confidential, and City is expected to appeal.
Pulis, who managed Stoke in the final, said the match had once been a career highlight. He recalled his side facing a team with far greater spending power, and said Stoke’s players had given a committed performance before losing to Yaya Touré’s goal.
He said Stoke supporters would want City to return the trophy and that clubs affected by City’s success may consider their legal options. Pulis added that he did not expect City to offer back the 2011 cup or winners’ medals.
A points deduction and a large fine seemed more likely to Pulis, but no sanctions have been decided. He said the result could not restore the chance for Stoke to celebrate winning the cup.
