Man City found guilty

[eritheagle]

it could trigger the re-emergence of some form of European Super League -

I hope so!!

 

[eritheagle]

I think all visiting teams should return tickets unsold or all away fams should boycott the etihad.
why should anyone want to give them their money!!

 

[Dogburger]

And now the Manchester City UAE owners have raised the stakes to a political level . Their appeal now seems to be if you find us guilty we will pull our investments out of the UK

What a mess

 

[Teddy Eagle]

And now the Manchester City UAE owners have raised the stakes to a political level . Their appeal now seems to be if you find us guilty we will pull our investments out of the UK

What a mess

Seems a bit heavy handed for anyone convinced of their own innocence.

 

[dreamwaverider]

If you read the detail, my guess is that this will now trundle on for a good while yet. At least until the Premier League realise basically they have got it all horribly wrong. The only winner here will be the lawyers who will be happy for this to go on indefinitely. What a winning ticket. Taking on one of the richest countries in the world because they have poured way too much money into football seems strange, but typically English. No wonder this country is in such a mess.

 

[chris123]

And now the Manchester City UAE owners have raised the stakes to a political level . Their appeal now seems to be if you find us guilty we will pull our investments out of the UK

What a mess

Bullying and entirely consistent with the non-cooperation part of findings.

 

[cryrst]

Can't see too much money in this for HMRC. City pretended to have earned more money than they actually had, so surely they paid more tax than they actually should have?

The individuals with hidden second contracts is another matter, as is City making suchlike arrangements. That may be a case of tax evasion, but I can't imagine the sun total of tax paid is too low. More likely the opposite?

Be ironic if they are due a tax rebate 😆

 

[chris123]

Be ironic if they are due a tax rebate 😆

I don't think corporation tax is an issue as they all lose money, it's paye.

 

[martin2412]

Can't see too much money in this for HMRC. City pretended to have earned more money than they actually had, so surely they paid more tax than they actually should have?

The individuals with hidden second contracts is another matter, as is City making suchlike arrangements. That may be a case of tax evasion, but I can't imagine the sun total of tax paid is too low. More likely the opposite?

 

[eritheagle]

I've heard that the charges only relate to the seasons up to 2018 because they are still refusing to release the books for the seasons since then. So they may still be cheating!! Would explain how the were able to offer guehi £330k a week!!

I think if the man city fans want to gain any respect or forgiveness going forward then they need to come out and start condemning their owners!!

 

[NEILLO]

Whatever the ultimate outcome is post Appeal, it's hard to see a ' winner ' in this.

The Premier League's governance is far from robust. Their record in terms of dealing with transgressions is inconsistent and open to legal challenge. Have any of their previous sanctions of points deductions been upheld in the face of such challenges ? And what about the slap on the wrist fine imposed on Chelsea - did that punishment fit that crime ? And yes, I know Chelsea self reported that but there are parallels with the City case because without Chelsea breaking the rules they would not had the likes of Eden Hazard signing for them. Which in turn enabled them to win the trophies they did.

And that governance hasn't been able to absolutely prevent Sovereign ownership of clubs ( Newcastle and City being the obvious examples ). Take a look at this ;

State-owned football clubs: Newcastle, PSG and Man City

Saudi Arabia owns 80% of Newcastle but promised it does not control it. How state ownership actually works, and why the rules test control rather than ownership.

capitalfutbol.com

So I have little sympathy with the Premier League.

As for City, the response both from them and their fans I've found very interesting. Of course City were going to appeal. And given my lack of confidence in the Premier League, I find it entirely possible that they could win that appeal. And now, not surprisingly, Governments are being involved. UAE reportedly threatening to withdraw investment in the UK. Burnham opening his mouth before engaging brain. How much pressure does that put on those deciding the appeal outcome ?!

I detect a split in their support on social media. Their more senior fans, used to their club being perennial underachievers pre Arab money, seem to have accepted that ( pardon the pun ) the game is up. It was all a bit too good to be true.

Meanwhile the younger set seem to think that the Premier League needs City more than City needs the Premier League. Delusion of the highest order.

Personally I have nothing against City or their fans. I've enjoyed watching them and those exceptional players they have had. But if the Guilty verdict is upheld, then they have to expect and accept the punishment handed out to them. That will be an opportunity for the Premier League to restore some much needed integrity into that organisation.

 

[BromleyMonkey]

Personally I have nothing against City or their fans.

Yes I think in general over the years we’ve had a pretty decent relationship with City, probably due to our mutual hate of United.
I’m sure you remember our last home league game against City just before the 1990 cup final and a load of their fans got on the pitch and were allowed to walk around with their banner “good luck in the final, from the City of Manchester” which was a decent gesture

 

[dg1937]

Bullying and entirely consistent with the non-cooperation part of findings.

And totally predictable.

 

[martinelliff]

If they get away with then its a free for all with other teams pumping money into their clubs via sponsorship. Noone will be scared of getting caught and can just mire the authorities in legal challenges. Palace can sign a shirt sponsorship deal with Johnson & Johnson for 1 billion per year and sign Olise back for 500k a week etc.

 

[cryrst]

If they get away with then it’s a free for all with other teams pumping money into their clubs via sponsorship. Noone will be scared of getting caught and can just mire the authorities in legal challenges. Palace can sign a shirt sponsorship deal with Johnson & Johnson for 1 billion per year and sign Olise back for 500k a week etc.

I don’t see the point of putting restrictions in place. The richest against the poorest. The richest actually have more at stake if they invest heavily. Would in reality give the poorest a better chance as money bags would be battling each other on and off the pitch. We won the fa cup unexpectedly against city.
Thats just my tuppence anyway.

 

[Davepalace707]

Whatever the ultimate outcome is post Appeal, it's hard to see a ' winner ' in this.

The Premier League's governance is far from robust. Their record in terms of dealing with transgressions is inconsistent and open to legal challenge. Have any of their previous sanctions of points deductions been upheld in the face of such challenges ? And what about the slap on the wrist fine imposed on Chelsea - did that punishment fit that crime ? And yes, I know Chelsea self reported that but there are parallels with the City case because without Chelsea breaking the rules they would not had the likes of Eden Hazard signing for them. Which in turn enabled them to win the trophies they did.

And that governance hasn't been able to absolutely prevent Sovereign ownership of clubs ( Newcastle and City being the obvious examples ). Take a look at this ;

State-owned football clubs: Newcastle, PSG and Man City

Saudi Arabia owns 80% of Newcastle but promised it does not control it. How state ownership actually works, and why the rules test control rather than ownership.

capitalfutbol.com

So I have little sympathy with the Premier League.

As for City, the response both from them and their fans I've found very interesting. Of course City were going to appeal. And given my lack of confidence in the Premier League, I find it entirely possible that they could win that appeal. And now, not surprisingly, Governments are being involved. UAE reportedly threatening to withdraw investment in the UK. Burnham opening his mouth before engaging brain. How much pressure does that put on those deciding the appeal outcome ?!

I detect a split in their support on social media. Their more senior fans, used to their club being perennial underachievers pre Arab money, seem to have accepted that ( pardon the pun ) the game is up. It was all a bit too good to be true.

Meanwhile the younger set seem to think that the Premier League needs City more than City needs the Premier League. Delusion of the highest order.

Personally I have nothing against City or their fans. I've enjoyed watching them and those exceptional players they have had. But if the Guilty verdict is upheld, then they have to expect and accept the punishment handed out to them. That will be an opportunity for the Premier League to restore some much needed integrity into that organisation.

Very good post. And the article you’ve linked - doesn’t that highlight what hypocrisy it was that we were told Textor’s ownership share was the reason we were chucked out of the Europa last season, not control which he didn’t have. Absolute joke.

 

[cryrst]

Rui Pinto: Hacker who released Man City documents fears for life as he prepares to lose witness protection

Portuguese computer hacker who released documents which helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City set to lose his witness protection despite fears for his life.

www.bbc.co.uk

Maybe all the ones shouting about city’s punishment could have a whip round.
Bet he wished he would have deleted the file now. All the fame has turned to s***.
I would be checking my brakes if I were him!

 

[chris123]

I don’t see the point of putting restrictions in place. The richest against the poorest. The richest actually have more at stake if they invest heavily. Would in reality give the poorest a better chance as money bags would be battling each other on and off the pitch. We won the fa cup unexpectedly against city.
Thats just my tuppence anyway.

Surely the restrictions are there to protect both ends of the pyramid.

Enough clubs have gone out of existance that may have survived with stronger governance. Bury, Darlington, Halifax, Maidstone, Chester City as examples.

A strong rule book provides integrity that for a long time was not enforced.

 

[cryrst]

Surely the restrictions are there to protect both ends of the pyramid.

Enough clubs have gone out of existance that may have survived with stronger governance. Bury, Darlington, Halifax, Maidstone, Chester City as examples.

A strong rule book provides integrity that for a long time was not enforced.

It is very difficult to police though. If city prove that donations were not from within the club then how does that work.
It’s still optional to invest for all owners. Only 1 can win the titles of each division and only 3 go down. Just be the fourth worst.

 

[chris123]

It is very difficult to police though. If city prove that donations were not from within the club then how does that work.
It’s still optional to invest for all owners. Only 1 can win the titles of each division and only 3 go down. Just be the fourth worst.

Got to be better than a free for all though?