This whole thing is a smear campaign driven by the old G14 clubs, I suspect that there are even elements in UEFA that are none too keen on it - note the reported comment by the Greek member of the IC that not everyone was in agreement on a punishment - but threats of a breakaway super league scare the shit out of them.
Of course. The whole thing is a playground where are confronted different lobbies.
In PSG probe, PSG were cleared, initially by the investigation chamber, of any wrongdoing by a very splitted decision 4 versus 3. However, there are some hardliners in this institution (or maybe they have been lobbied efficiently by the cartel) like Leterme or that portuguese european judge Jose Narciso da Cunha Rodrigues. It was him that decided to still send our case to the adjudicatory chamber for review. At the time, i remember that some guy in our parisian forum was saying that this judge is relentless in what he sees as a protection of european football that needs regulation.
I'm happy City is showing their anger and determination.
Btw, regarding the press leaks, i really don't think it is some kind of schemes. There used to be a lot of leaks in regards of PSG case that dragged for more than a year (and you have prolly heard more than one statement in the press in the whole year while UEFA couldn't make their decision known in the meantime).
We were not fussed about the leaks, but we (fans + club) were pretty unhappy that the UEFA was not communicating those decisions by themselves. Because, the club can defend himself when a decision is officially put out, not when there is only speculation. And since they were pushing back their decision every time, PSG couldn't predict the budget allowed for their window market. So, we thought it was their way to keep a sword of Damocles to prevent us from being competitive on the market (indirect sanction).
If it only goes to CAS, UEFA has nothing to lose, really. They do the same with PSG, Milan etc. They try and will try again. Nevertheless, City has no need to go all the way if CAS rules in their favor. Thus, their FFP scheme can still survive this incident with City.
