Liverpool cult hero Lucas Leiva has questioned whether he is a Premier League champion after being left “confused” by the charges brought against Manchester City.
The Etihad outfit have been charged by the Premier League with more than 100 breaches of its financial rules following a four-year investigation. The breaches apparently took place between 2009 and 2018, with the side winning three domestic titles in that period.
"Manchester City is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League Rules, particularly given the extensive engagement and vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with," a club statement responded.
"The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."
Should City be proven guilty, a number of punishments could be imposed by an independent commission - with some suggestions that they could see their previous titles successes retrospectively stripped. That has left former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva questioning whether he should have a Premier League winners’ medal in his collection.
The Brazilian was part of the Reds’ squad that was marginally beaten to the punch by City during the 2013/14 season. Liverpool were in prime position heading into the final few matches of that campaign but lost to Chelsea before infamously drawing with Crystal Palace.
What is your view on the charges brought against Man City? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Man City eventually won the title by two points on the final day with Liverpool finishing second. Leiva made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Reds that term, with the vast majority of those coming in the league.
Taking to Twitter after news surfaced regarding Man City’s charges, the Brazilian midfielder wrote: “Am I a Premier League champion?”
A further post shared his comment stating that Leiva had eyes on his Premier League winners’ medal before the now 36-year-old replied: “No I don’t. I just asked as I am confused!”
Former colleague Jose Enrique then joined in by copying Leiva's original tweet word for word.
Despite enjoying a hugely successful career that saw him take in spells with Gremio, Liverpool and Italian giants Lazio - as well as 24 outings for the Brazil national team - Leiva has not have the pleasure of lifting too much silverware. He won just a solitary League Cup on Merseyside before adding to that with a Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana with Lazio.
In all, he made 346 appearances for the Reds during a nine-year spell with the Anfield outfit after initially arrived in 2007. Leiva returned to his boyhood club Gremio last summer in the second tier of Brazilian football.
