Jeff Stelling has now reacted after Manchester City were charged by the Football Association.
The 68-year-old made the comments when speaking alongside Ally McCoist on talkSPORT.
So, what did Jeff Stelling say about Manchester City? Let’s take a look…
What Jeff Stelling said about Manchester City
Well, Manchester City have been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20 after several players surrounded Simon Hooper in disgust towards the end of Sunday’s 3-3 draw against Tottenham.
Some felt Erling Haaland may be punished separately, although the Norwegian escaped, despite screaming in the 41-year-old’s face and also posting about his strange decision online.
Manchester City have already been found guilty of breaching FA Rule E20 a couple of times in 2023, but will only be hit with a fine rather than any sporting sanctions.
Speaking about this verdict, Stelling said: “Third time that City have been charged with this offence this year, so it will be a hefty fine… which is pointless of course. But I don’t know what else you do.”
The man from Hartlepool makes a good point.
There is no way that Manchester City deserve a stronger punishment – especially when you consider just how poor the officiating has been this season – although fining one of the richest clubs on the planet is a bit ineffective.
FA charges should not become stronger for Manchester City in this current refereeing climate
In response to Stelling’s comment, McCoist said: “Do you dock them points? That’s a big one. You certainly don’t want to be going down that road.”
If we start bringing point deductions in for surrounding referees – amid a time where it feels as if each and every one of them make a glaring mistake every single week – that is just asking for trouble.
In this hypothetical scenario, there will be even more pressure on the officials to get it right, or else they know one error could spark a furious response and a consequential points deduction.
Yes, it does seem a bit pointless to fine Manchester City, but no stronger action can be justified when officials antagonise most clubs up and down the country on a regular basis.
