'Give me my Club World Cup!' - Former Fluminense star Felipe Melo wants 2023 title handed to him after Man City found guilty of FFP breaches
Former Fluminense player Felipe Melo has jokingly called for Manchester City to be stripped of their 2023 Club World Cup title following the club's guilty verdict for financial regulation breaches. Melo used the opportunity to criticize the financial dominance of European football clubs.
Why it matters
The comments highlight growing tensions regarding financial fair play regulations and the disparity between European and South American football clubs.
Former Fluminense midfielder Felipe Melo has jokingly demanded that Manchester City be stripped of their 2023 Club World Cup trophy following their financial rule breaches. The Brazilian icon claimed the title should now be awarded to the Rio de Janeiro club after the English giants were found guilty of breaking regulations.
The former Fluminense defensive midfielder jokingly demanded that the 2023 Club World Cup trophy be handed over to him following City's guilty verdict for financial rule breaches . Speaking at the Ole Summit 2026 in Buenos Aires, the veteran known as the Pitbull brought up his side's comprehensive 4-0 defeat in the showpiece fixture in Saudi Arabia . He seized upon the prospect of the Citizens being stripped of their silverware to take aim at European football's overwhelming financial hegemony.
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