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

[slbsn]

So am I reading this right, they couldn’t make a judgement on the FFP issue but they upheld the ban because of unpaid bills?

Not quite. They couldn't judge whether the accounts were false but concluded FFP had been breached anyway.

 

[MCFC1993]

I hope it at least gets reduced to 1 year, that way I think we can easily keep players like Kev. If not we're going to lose some decent players.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Not quite. They couldn't judge whether the accounts were false but concluded FFP had been breached anyway.

On balance of probability or did they advance another reason for concluding there’d been a breach? I’m not sure what overdue payables are. Do we have any or are our circumstances markedly different?

 

[the talisman]

Not quite. They couldn't judge whether the accounts were false but concluded FFP had been breached anyway.

Thanks
I thought ‘overdue payables’ was flowery language meaning unpaid debts :-)

 

[slbsn]

On balance of probability or did they advance another reason for concluding there’d been a breach? I’m not sure what overdue payables are. Do we have any or are our circumstances markedly different?

It was pretty simple in the end. There was no dispute on the facts on the key matter: "In the case at hand, it is not disputed that the Appellant reached a written agreement with the Greek Tax Authorities to reschedule and pay its overdue payables in 48 instalments. However, such agreement was concluded on 29 May 2013, i.e. almost two months after the expiry of the applicable deadline." In essence PAE were in discussion to get a matter resolved by 31 March 2013 but it was not definitively resolved so CAS supported UEFAs case that therefore "as of 31 March 2013, the Appellant had overdue payables towards social/tax authorities as a result of contractual and legal obligations towards its employees that had arisen prior to 31 December 2012. The Panel therefore determines that the Appellant infringed Article 50 of the CL&FFP Regulations."

Therefore, they didn't even look at whether the accounts were "false".

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

So now were guilty again ?

 

[horlock_was_super]

Probably nothing, but, Pep was bang at it about us being 15 points clear in the Race for Champions League qualification in the after match interview. As I said, probably nothing.

 

[petrusha]

Therefore, they didn't even look at whether the accounts were "false".

Interestingly, it seems (para 10) that the Greek Football Federation discovered the alleged inaccuracy of the accounts from other documents submitted by the club as part of the licensing process. :)

 

[chaddblue]

Probably nothing, but, Pep was bang at it about us being 15 points clear in the Race for Champions League qualification in the after match interview. As I said, probably nothing.

I picked that up as well. It was as though even the smallest possibility of us not being allowed to participate didn't exist

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

If CAS found that, on the balance of probabilities, City's accounts had been falsified I think City would have no choice but to take the matter to a higher court unless we knew the claims to be true, which makes a mockery of the club's attitude so far. As has been pointed out many times there has been no examination of the accounts to justify the claim and all manner of other interests would be involved. I think this would deter CAS from becoming involved in such matters. If they did it would be, in Sir Humphrey's words, their most "courageous" decision.

 

[Nightmare Walking]

I picked that up as well. It was as though even the smallest possibility of us not being allowed to participate didn't exist

I thought it was telling and was surprised Shreeves did not pick up on it.
Pep must have an inkling in regards to how the hearing went and I thought him saying we must qualify for the champs league next year, was a good sign.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

I thought it was telling and was surprised Shreeves did not pick up on it.
Pep must have an inkling in regards to how the hearing went and I thought him saying we must qualify for the champs league next year, was a good sign.

It did feel quite pointed from Pep - and whilst we definitely shouldn't read too much into a bullish statement in a post-match interview, it does provide a glimpse into the mindset at the club right now. We are pushing ahead with planning for next season in the CL, until anyone tells us otherwise.

 

[Nightmare Walking]

It did feel quite pointed from Pep - and whilst we definitely shouldn't read too much into a bullish statement in a post-match interview, it does provide a glimpse into the mindset at the club right now. We are pushing ahead with planning for next season in the CL, until anyone tells us otherwise.

That was my immediate reaction mate. If the powers that be had bad vibes, Pep would not have even mentioned the champions league

 

[remember arthur mann]

Nothing would surprise me after last nights debacle at Villa !

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Nothing would surprise me after last nights debacle at Villa !

Does David Gill check the equipment before the match starts ?

 

[Ric]

 

[TheThirdDeano]

Something delightfully city about being the only team in Europe with the possibility to be banned from the competition!

 

[The Future is Blue]

Hmmm....wonder how many of the G14 were about to breach!

 

[M18CTID]

Interestingly, it seems (para 10) that the Greek Football Federation discovered the alleged inaccuracy of the accounts from other documents submitted by the club as part of the licensing process. :)

Oops ;)

With regards to that case, it seems the ban came about because UEFA take a very dim view of clubs who don’t settle their bills on time. While this was to do with tax, they’ve banned plenty of clubs for overdue payments to other clubs for transfers, etc. FFP gets a bad press amongst City fans but many don’t realise that there’s more to it than the break even part (which is the bit that is most relevant to us), and I don’t think anyone (regardless of who they support) can have an issue with the aspect of FFP where clubs who can’t pay their bills on time are punished.

 

[Nicholas van Whatsisface]

It would be the archetypal 'Typical City' moment for us to be banned from Europe for 2 years during the exact same summer when every other club can do whatever they like in breaching the break even rules with no fear of sanction.