UEFA FFP investigation - CAS decision to be announced Monday, 13th July 9.30am BST

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I suspect one of the poits City may make is that Bayern, Juventus and PSG don't even bother trying to conceal the paper trail because they know FFP is intentionally aimed solely at City. CAS may rule that the treatment meted out to City is neither fair nor equitable but on the other hand it could argue that it is up to UEFA to investigate other cases and take the appropriate action! In any event I don't think CAS will be the end of the matter because City may feel that while FFP is in place in any shape or form the club will have no peace.

I too think that whatever the outcome at CAS, City will go after UEFA in Court. No guarantee of victory of course, plus the negative publicity we’ll get from our dear friends in the media will be off the scale, but hopefully by then UEFA might be willing to seek a compromise settlement. The stumbling block is the fuckers pulling UEFA’s strings

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

I hope the club at the highest levels know Peps plans and intentions. I think you are right - no one including Pep will want next year to be a limbo / transition season. I think Pep needs to commit (if only in private) to completing another 3 years and then we can amend and rebuild this squad to get back to the levels we saw last year and the year before. Up until recently I thought we only needed minor surgery but recent performances suggest there a few fundamentals wrong with this squad that need addressing and a few players seem like they are washed up by the intensity of working with Pep and may need to seek pastures new. Either way I think it’ll be a traumatic summer.

That could well be true, it would get even more unsettling around Pep and what decision he could make, should we win the CL this season (that's a big IF in regards to winning though)

I am sure that it was said by an ex-player of Pep's that the intensity he demands from players can only go on so long and cannot be replicated every season - the evidence going of our form this season would show that to be true

Summer is going to be huge. I just hope Pep does stay to not rebuild (as that is too harsh) but refresh the squad with what will be needed

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

I too think that whatever the outcome at CAS, City will go after UEFA in Court. No guarantee of victory of course, plus the negative publicity we’ll get from our dear friends in the media will be off the scale, but hopefully by then UEFA might be willing to seek a compromise settlement. The stumbling block is the fuckers pulling UEFA’s strings

There must be shit out there on the " inner sanctuary twats " to be exploited surely?

 

[RayCTID]

It isn't but someone has to prove the existence of a cartel before action can be taken. This may not be as difficult as may be thought. Usually to prove an individual guilty of a crime proof has to be presented that their motivation was to commit that offence. Such a burden of proof is not present in the case of a cartel. For the existence of a cartel it is sufficient to show that the actions of a group amount to the actions of a cartel. Now what have UEFA and the chaps of the cartel done that might lead us to believe they actually are a cartel?!!!

The hastily FFP ruling they had put in the first place and the lax application they had used for certain clubs during that period.

 

[Kazzydeyna]

I agree.

I think you are right.We will fight this all the way.Our owners believe we have done no wrong and are being victimized by the Cartel (we are)

My point though is.No matter what happens in the long run we can turn it to our advantage.

I love Pep for the success he has delivered us.

But i am not going to lie.If he is going in 12 months no matter what.Then based on our recent transfer signings, the thought of him spending a huge transfer budget the end of this Season that could make or break us,fills me with dread.

I think it would be best for the Club if we amicably parted ways.Obviously the Champions League Ban will have a bearing on our future plans.

I get your point but I don't agree.

He could have used this as a way to walk away, head held high. Nobody would really have blamed him.

Instead he publicly declared his loyalty to the cause, putting the shit-stirring journos on notice he was staying "no matter what".

That is loyalty. That is sticking by the club in times of need.

I'd let him stay until he wants to leave. He went up so high in my estimation the other week.

 

[SilverFox2]

Yes good luck with the debt bit.

Good point.

No doubt they would argue some clubs can service debt so why cannot some clubs service investment?

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

I too think that whatever the outcome at CAS, City will go after UEFA in Court. No guarantee of victory of course, plus the negative publicity we’ll get from our dear friends in the media will be off the scale, but hopefully by then UEFA might be willing to seek a compromise settlement. The stumbling block is the fuckers pulling UEFA’s strings

Not a lot to lose regarding " negative publicity " from our wonderful media , so shit or bust for me.

Drag the whole corrupt edifice down !

 

[Plain Speaking]

7.45pm on March 17.

It's an 8pm kick off for the Real Madrid home game ;-)

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

Good point.

No doubt they would argue some clubs can service debt so why cannot some clubs service investment?

UEFA/Platini dropped attempts to tackle debt because a group of clubs threatened legal action because debt is an accepted way of financing investment, which is correct as Spurs and Arsenal have shown by financing new stadia through long term loans. Where UEFA embarrassed themselves and blew both feet off was by caving into the same group's proposals to limit spending on players and shareholders right to finance this spending, which is also an accepted way of securing investment. Oh and,of course, this group of clubs threatened to break away if they didn't get their way. Not the strongest of cases in court.

 

[nmc]

UEFA/Platini dropped attempts to tackle debt because a group of clubs threatened legal action because debt is an accepted way of financing investment, which is correct as Spurs and Arsenal have shown by financing new stadia through long term loans. Where UEFA embarrassed themselves and blew both feet off was by caving into the same group's proposals to limit spending on players and shareholders right to finance this spending, which is also an accepted way of securing investment. Oh and,of course, this group of clubs threatened to break away if they didn't get their way. Not the strongest of cases in court.

The problem of course is that all clubs that go bust do so by borrowing to fund investment. Portsmouth and Leeds both borrowed heavily to buy players - it all went wrong when they couldn’t afford the repayments. The tinkering with FFP by the “old guard” to suit there own agendas rendered it as largely useless in the protection of football finances. FFP is nothing more than a protection racket for a cartel and I’m sure any court case that followed its evolution and its application of the twisted rules would not be able to conclude anything other than it being a restriction of trade. You’d only need to call Napoleon as a witness to prove the case.

 

[BobbyBoy]

The problem with arguing against FFP is UEFA will argue it was introduced to get a control on losses. They have the numbers to back it up.

Interesting article below, particularly this piece

FFP & EU Competition Law

The principles of EU competition policy are set down in Article 101 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The key decision in the context of sporting rules and EU competition law is that of Meca-Medina.7 The ECJ confirmed the finding in Wouters & Others8 and found that the following must be taken into account when considering the effect rules set out by a regulatory body may have on competition:

• The context in which the rule was adopted or produces its effects and objectives;
  
  
• Whether the restrictions caused by the rule are inherent in the pursuit of its objectives;
  
  
• The proportionality of the restriction on competition in light of the objectives of the rules.

The middle one is backed up by financial results across Europe.

https://www.lawinsport.com/topics/features/item/the-deficiency-of-fairness-in-financial-fair-play

 

[Cornish_Blue]

So if we knock out RM, you can bet we will be getting a ban notice within the week.

 

[paulchapo]

The problem of course is that all clubs that go bust do so by borrowing to fund investment. Portsmouth and Leeds both borrowed heavily to buy players - it all went wrong when they couldn’t afford the repayments. The tinkering with FFP by the “old guard” to suit there own agendas rendered it as largely useless in the protection of football finances. FFP is nothing more than a protection racket for a cartel and I’m sure any court case that followed its evolution and its application of the twisted rules would not be able to conclude anything other than it being a restriction of trade. You’d only need to call Napoleon as a witness to prove the case.

This is correct and I'm sure he is on record as saying so. He also said the Italian power clubs approached him to relax certain rules so they could profit from that relaxation. Having had his ban upheld I'm sure he has an axe to grind as well.

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

Regardless of the outcome of the CAS appeal it is not all doom and gloom.

Sure the tourists will obviously fuck off back over to the Swamp to watch "Noddy and his Friends" in search of glory.

We can still depend on a loyal fan Base of die hard fans 35,000 + to pull us through stormy waters.

If as rumored Pep was only staying the extra 12 months anyway,Then we can start the rebuilding job the end of this season.He can go to Juventus in search of Champions League glory get to, spend 500,000 000 on the next up coming,Gudogan, Rodri,and Cancelo Whilst will be forced to be a bit more holistic in our approach.It will likely be 2 years until we are at a level to be challenging Europe elite again.

To those who say we will not be able to attract the right players ,absolute bollocks,we brought in Vinny/David SIlva without guarantees,2 City legends.

Every Cloud and all that..

It is not the end of the World.

We will still be there, no matter the weather,no matter the manager.

This will still depend on spending that this time stays within FFP limits.

 

[dadnlad]

i said the other week that i don't care about the ban and playing in europe ?????? but over the last 2 weeks the dirty scum media have done its job on manchester city

the thing that is spreading is the cheat cheat cheat chants by the other fans its getting louder and louder each week ? i normally dare care what other fans sing but the cheat chants are hurtful and its damaged our name and all the great work we have done, i even think if we turnover the ban and uefa drop its case the mud as stuck and damage the image of our club

was chatting to a united fan today he was going on about cheating so asked him how " well you get 400 million a year of Etihad were Arsenal get 20 million " wow where did you hear this oh in the paper, i replied " i wouldnt trust the date never mind the rest and 400 million was over 10 years and covered kit, stadium. campus, womens team and youth so under value if anything " the papers have done their job

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

It's an 8pm kick off for the Real Madrid home game ;-)

No problem - 15 mins to get back from Switzerland!

 

[FrankSwift1]

was chatting to a united fan today he was going on about cheating so asked him how " well you get 400 million a year of Etihad were Arsenal get 20 million " wow where did you hear this oh in the paper, i replied " i wouldnt trust the date never mind the rest and 400 million was over 10 years and covered kit, stadium. campus, womens team and youth so under value if anything " the papers have done their job

I use the. Ow we are banned are we...what for? Cheating. How did we cheat...? Ask for any detail and they cant give it.

They cant give an answer because nobody really know until after the appeal when I presume it will all come out. It good seeing them tie themselves in knots though trying to get a rise.

Laugh and take it all as banter and remember its only football at the end of the day.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

I use the. Ow we are banned are we...what for? Cheating. How did we cheat...? Ask for any detail and they cant give it.

They cant give an answer because nobody really know until after the appeal when I presume it will all come out. It good seeing them tie themselves in knots though trying to get a rise.

Laugh and take it all as banter because they know fuck all about anything useful .

 

[ancoats]

was chatting to a united fan today he was going on about cheating so asked him how " well you get 400 million a year of Etihad were Arsenal get 20 million " wow where did you hear this oh in the paper, i replied " i wouldnt trust the date never mind the rest and 400 million was over 10 years and covered kit, stadium. campus, womens team and youth so under value if anything " the papers have done their job

this is my point ? city have a bigger fight than just proving we are innocent with uefa and the FFP, because the damage to our image has been dragged through the mud by the media and city have done little about it and bringing them to justice as well, innocent to proven guilty not a kangaroo court or those without sin cast first stone, city with our media team are cannon fodder a sitting duck and toothless ?? can you see united or liverpool or any big club letting the media walk all over them

its funny that so many fans believe what they read in the media until its their club ? with this city have let them throw mud at us and it has stuck big time ? many on here from the early days of the take over had the same feeling about the media team city have ? and questions have been asked before and lots or damaging insults ?? even this season with the mendy and B,silva tweet ?? city just settled for the punishment ? and what skysports did to us live on tv after the everton game was truly shocking and a witch hunt again city just did nothing

my hope of manchester city clearing our name is low to no chance of winning ? i have a feeling city will settle for a reduce punishment and let uefa and FFP and media free to walk all over us again, the damage as been done the image is blacken and only a innocent verdict would help in the future that you can not mess with manchester city anymore

 

[Kirkstall Blue]

Exactly Ancoats