You've misquoted me above - I didn't say "that City signing Messi would automatically see us back up before the beak" or even words to that effect. What I said (and not sure why I shouldn't "get involved") is in the other thread. It is clear and provisoed appropriately. But nobody should think any of these ruses like sticking contracts through CFG or magically paying him £100m in 2025 in NYC or whatever will be ignored. As I have said, I remain confident our board will a) keep their heads b) look way beyond the next 2 years c) won't screw up FFP for a second/third time. You do not go from 3 months haggling over €5m for Koulibaly to spunking €200m in a transfer fee for a 33 year old Messi.
But regardless of CAS, City breached FFP historically. By a mile. That isn't even debated any longer.
For the record, I have corporate, football business, board, commercial negotiation experience beyond pure legal matters that could be of value to some readers regardless if people disagree. This is a forum for discussion and debate. There is nothing to discuss on the player's quality or whether he will improve us. That is settled. It is therefore perfectly reasonable (in my view) to consider the wider impact on the club such as the impact on other transfers, other spending, other problems. If you think that La Liga and other usual suspects are not desperate to find a way to stymie City you are simply wrong. We should tread very carefully.
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