Paul Merson, the former Arsenal and England international, has called for Manchester City to be stripped of all titles won between 2009 and 2018. This demand comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Premier League, which found the club guilty of breaching financial regulations after a comprehensive four-year investigation.

The investigation, conducted by an Independent Committee, revealed that Manchester City allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities, including the manipulation of contracts with select commercial partners to hide undisclosed financial support. The Premier League's statement indicated that the concealed funding during this period amounted to approximately £830 million.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson emphasized the importance of addressing the integrity of football history. He stated, "First of all, take all their trophies away. I think that’s the first thing. It’s not because of us, it’s our children’s children’s children in 50, 60 or 70 years’ time, if you look through and see that Manchester City dominated, it’s not going to say underneath that they were guilty of anything so I think that’s got to be taken off."

Merson further explained that while he does not advocate for awarding those titles to the teams that finished second, he believes it is crucial to erase the records of Manchester City's dominance during that time due to the alleged misconduct. "For me, in my opinion, that’s got to be wiped off the face that they dominated it by doing what they were doing," he added.

In response to the ruling, Manchester City has denied any wrongdoing and has been given until October 2 to file a formal appeal against the decision. The club's management maintains that they have acted in accordance with the rules and are prepared to contest the findings.

This controversy has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts alike, with many supporting Merson's stance on the need for accountability in football. The outcome of Manchester City's appeal could have significant implications not only for the club but for the integrity of the Premier League as a whole, as the league continues to grapple with issues related to financial fair play and transparency.