Media Thread - 2021/22

[petrusha]

In case anyone has forgotten, two years ago we were sanctioned by European football's governing body, which saw fit to exclude us for two seasons from its competitions. It was a punishment that posed an existential threat to our club's ambitions to compete at the highest levels of English and European football.

The 'evidence' used as justification of UEFA's decision took the form of hacked internal correspondence. It was presented selectively in a foreign publication, but gave rise to intensive lobbying efforts on the part of rival clubs seeking to have strict penalties imposed on us. They were backed by the British sports media, whose hysterical coverage gave rise to a febrile atmosphere in which UEFA didn't feel it could be seen not to take strong action.

Two UK newspapers plus several individual journalists from other outlets (some with demonstrable links to the rival clubs pushing for us to be penalised) were instrumental in setting the tone for the more widespread reporting that created such an atmosphere. As was subsequently proven in the proceedings before the CAS, much of the reporting of the outlets and individuals I'm referring to was manifestly in bad faith, while some of it was outright mendacious.

These newspapers and individuals now lack the casus belli that they revelled in with regard to our FFP investigation. They very much haven't gone away, though: their attitude hasn't changed, and they're out to discredit our club however and whenever they can.

I appreciate that not everyone will be interested in discussing that, which is fine. Personally, though, I want to keep an eye on people who have a platform and admit that they want to use it to damage our club. This thread seems a perfectly suitable forum for discussing what I and others with a similar interest see. If others want to use that to say I'm a "radical" or in Sam Lee's words a "militant crank", then those are labels I utterly reject.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

It's bizarre to us but I thought about this earlier and, in true paranoid, militant crank style, believe there's a pattern and explanation.

You have to remember that The Athletic is now owned by the New York Times, which also employs Liverpool fan Rory Smith, and Tariq Panja, one of the worst anti-City trolls, who's a mouthpiece for Gill and Parry and was the recipient of leaks from the UEFA FFP case all along. The NYT have clearly extended their editorial policy to The Athletic.

Lee's upcoming piece will be along the lines of "I heard from conflicted fans who say they love City but have serious doubts about the ownership". When you add that to Crafton's article, which clearly fed the "City would be skint without Abu Dhabi" narrative, you can see a trend emerging. On one level, it's designed to undermine us and even sow doubt among our own fanbase. but there's another level to this.

One of the biggest problems CFG face in securing a stadium site in New York, is anti-Arab sentiment. We saw that clearly in the leaked emails from the UAE ambassador to the US, where he spoke about winning hearts and minds and was told, obliquely, to stress their good relations with Israel. It's maybe somewhat far-fetched to suggest the subsequent normalisation of relations between Israel and the UAE was solely to ensure this NYCFC stadium can happen but their presence in New York is clearly important to CFG and the UAE. Obstructing us in any ways they can is clearly important to our US-owned rivals, as we already know.

Is it really therefore a coincidence that all these articles, including Mooney's weird Tweet, appear within a few days of each other? I susepct they're acting under orders.

This is 100 per cent correct. A lot of the poison has been set in the USA. It is no co-incidence that the leaders of our commercial rivals LFC, MUFC, and Arsenal like to hold their cosy meetings in New York City. Anti-Arab sentiment (let's call it racism) is the driving force. It is the elephant in the room and the fact it has not been called out by the English football media tells you everything you need to know about the state of our media.

 

[Bonzo Nododo]

Thing is, don't react and the silence is received as acquiescence at best and agreement at worst. I'm all for those who want to dedicate their time to dealing with these professional trolls. Some will be good at it, others won't, it takes all sorts. I can't be arsed but wouldn't criticise those that do.

Unfornately 'if you don't deny it, you must be guilty' attitude is held by many people in many fields nowadays so people come out to fight their corner and fall into a booby trap.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Sam, go and to something useful in your failing click-bait journalistic career.

Go and find out why Liverpool Football club illegally hacked Manchester City Football clubs player data base. And whether Henry and FSG knew what was going on? And why those who did it are still employed by Liverpool Football club?

Go and find out why Liverpool Football club renewed their shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered even though they must have known Standard Chartered were being investigated for money laundering, breaching sanctions with Iran, etc.

Go and find out why Manchester United are funneling their money through the Cayman Islands Tax Haven.

But you won't will you, you sh*t bag! It's more than your career is worth. I'm sure you and your employer wouldn't want to upset Henry, the Glazers, Liverpool Football Cub, Manchester United Football Club, Liverpool fans (especially Liverpool fans), and United fans.

You're no different to all the other click bait football journalists who suck up to red shirt clubs and their fans. Happy to stay subservient on the QT. Happy to keep your cushy job. And happy to watch the clicks come rolling in across social media. What a shit way to measure a journalistic carrer. Are you f*ck Martin Samnuel!! And you never will be.

The first question Sam should ask is why did the man responsible for hacking City leave his top role at LFC (one of the best jobs in world football) two months ago with apparently no job to go to. Don't hold your breath though.

 

[LongsightM13]

The Occams Razor principle suggests that it’s pretty obvious that Panja was getting a lot of his UEFA FFP fantasies from the redshirt placemen Gill/Parry, but whether directly or not its hard to be certain.
I imagine this might have been their bagman…

Communication Director Magazine - EACD

www.communication-director.com

 

[Cellarite]

i thought of this thread and that clip when I watched Leeds v United at the weekend. Tyler barely raised his voice when United scored but was noticably excited when Leeds scored. To me, same as the game you've linked, he reacts to and reflects the noise around him and the atmosphere in the stadium. He doesn't "hate" City. That was an example of our fans being paranoid.

Really? (and I don't mean sarcastic 'really', I mean intrigued 'really')

I missed the Leeds/United game on Sunday due to my fuckwit brother-in-law. I'll listen out for this in future. I've always thought that Tyler toes the party line and backs the redshirt clubs but has utter disdain for City.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

The Occams Razor principle suggests that it’s pretty obvious that Panja was getting a lot of his UEFA FFP fantasies from the redshirt placemen Gill/Parry, but whether directly or not its hard to be certain.
I imagine this might have been their bagman…

Communication Director Magazine - EACD

www.communication-director.com

That is a really good shout.

 

[LongsightM13]

That is a really good shout.

Panja would know him from his time at the MEN as well

 

[Didsbury Dave]

Really? (and I don't mean sarcastic 'really', I mean intrigued 'really')

I missed the Leeds/United game on Sunday due to my fuckwit brother-in-law. I'll listen out for this in future. I've always thought that Tyler toes the party line and backs the redshirt clubs but has utter disdain for City.

Honestly. It was hugely noticeable.

 

[Revolver]

I get a Athletic City podcasts on Spotify free once a week. Listening to it I was struck by how indifferent at best the “expert” to City. No sense of him enjoying our successes. (It might be my imagination)

This is in comparison to other clubs podcasts I listen to on the Athletic (I listen to clubs that are doing bad). With the Utd Spurs (not listening to that one this week!) Newcastle etc the “expert” or “experts”actually acts like a fan of that club.


Now I may be mistaken and you could argue it doesn’t matter. But whilst it may use Man City in its title for the podcast the Athletic is just another media outlet that has no interest in giving City a fair platform in our competition against the “historic” clubs.

Would it let non fans cover the darling clubs in red? Would it write articles on these clubs sniping at their success whilst saying in passing they haven’t done anything wrong ? Would it send a question on Twitter insinuating that their fans should put up with this constant sniping. Of course not.

City the club and its fans are not perfect. But whilst other clubs are given a free pass we are being singled out.

 

[Ric]

Really? (and I don't mean sarcastic 'really', I mean intrigued 'really')

I missed the Leeds/United game on Sunday due to my fuckwit brother-in-law. I'll listen out for this in future. I've always thought that Tyler toes the party line and backs the redshirt clubs but has utter disdain for City.

If you go on most team's forums you'll find threads about Tyler's supposed bias against them. Think he generally seems to favour the home team, but I guess if you're proving unpopular with so many fanbases then maybe it's time to hang up the mic.

 

[Asa's left peg]

I would buy or even subscribe to newspapers if they gave me what I wanted. Just one look at the Newsnow front page summeriser and you can see missleading headlines (most of which have titles begining with 'Liverpool' and that's ok). They have made the whole thing about (made up) finance issues. It seems there is nothing else.

I want more about actual football. There is a long piece in the MEN (I know) by Simon B, about one of our young full backs Rico Lewis. It's very good and could have been even better. There is a young lad called something like Ellabodoui, who was decent but left and has even played against us, I think. He had to stop playing for 2 years, because he went blind, but is now starting again at Galatasery. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit about what Peterborough players are about and their journeys to football.This is what I expected from the Athletic.

The point being, they are so wrapped up in negative shit and clickbait, they are missing the whole point about supporting. They seem so wrapped up in the people one line who are just here for the trophies and not in the hard core support of teams.
It would appear we are a dying breed, and that would suit the Yank owners vision for the 'soccer franchise' business model and the ability to move the clubs or games where they want. It's going that way.

 

[mrbelfry]

In case anyone has forgotten, two years ago we were sanctioned by European football's governing body, which saw fit to exclude us for two seasons from its competitions. It was a punishment that posed an existential threat to our club's ambitions to compete at the highest levels of English and European football.

The 'evidence' used as justification of UEFA's decision took the form of hacked internal correspondence. It was presented selectively in a foreign publication, but gave rise to intensive lobbying efforts on the part of rival clubs seeking to have strict penalties imposed on us. They were backed by the British sports media, whose hysterical coverage gave rise to a febrile atmosphere in which UEFA didn't feel it could be seen not to take strong action.

Two UK newspapers plus several individual journalists from other outlets (some with demonstrable links to the rival clubs pushing for us to be penalised) were instrumental in setting the tone for the more widespread reporting that created such an atmosphere. As was subsequently proven in the proceedings before the CAS, much of the reporting of the outlets and individuals I'm referring to was manifestly in bad faith, while some of it was outright mendacious.

These newspapers and individuals now lack the casus belli that they revelled in with regard to our FFP investigation. They very much haven't gone away, though: their attitude hasn't changed, and they're out to discredit our club however and whenever they can.

I appreciate that not everyone will be interested in discussing that, which is fine. Personally, though, I want to keep an eye on people who have a platform and admit that they want to use it to damage our club. This thread seems a perfectly suitable forum for discussing what I and others with a similar interest see. If others want to use that to say I'm a "radical" or in Sam Lee's words a "militant crank", then those are labels I utterly reject.

This also led to the Premier League investigation which is still ongoing and being used to further the cheating narrative.

Part of the problem is that from the outside the media is largely one blob so one article from one writer can provoke a response because we don't see it in isolation - it's part of the mass. From the inside that's just one guy writing one article and City fan's are frothing about something small. It's almost like a team taking it in turns to kick your best player - no one tackle is a red card tackle and Scott McTominay can hold his hands in the air acting innocent whilst still being part of a "cheating" culture or tactic.

The FFP/CAS/squad size stuff was and still is in my obviously biased opinion malicious and logically unsound. We were found "guilty" of breaking a rule that existed very briefly and was quickly amended and we operate under the same squad building regulations as everyone else - our subs bench against Tottenham demonstrate our squad isn't super sized. We also haven't cheated on a football pitch. Our 11 have played other 11's. Compare that with how the media talk about Juventus.

Some journalists are enjoying the crusade and having their egos massaged. We have fan media complaining that they dont get support and access from the club whilst some journalists are crying about our comms team weaponising the fan base. Someone is mistaken

 

[freshie]

So there you go - "may do an article"

Yeh right - ofc he's gonna write an article on the responses; that was his MO all along, for the rags and dippers to lap up

Gotta keep those interactions/subscriptions coming eh? (Seeing as that's what the overlords at the NYT demand from their journalists)

Smh

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

That is a really good shout.

It's on the money.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

We don't know that but it again makes you wonder, if it was the case, whether that's to do with the NYT purchase, and the risk of anything sensitive getting to the likes of Panja, and thereby to his sources.

And as Ahsan said, he made a complete hash of FFP/CAS, refusing help from Stefan, and going public with his story that we were jsut going to get a slap on the wrist. He stuck to that story doggedly and I think I understand why, as I'd been categorically told that was Ceferin's objective. But we turned that option down so either he didn't really understand what he was told or he was being briefed by Ceferin's camp, not the club.

The Athletic are treated just like PA - on the outside of any pooled briefs.

The newspapers wouldn't have it.

 

[LongsightM13]

I would buy or even subscribe to newspapers if they gave me what I wanted. Just one look at the Newsnow front page summeriser and you can see missleading headlines (most of which have titles begining with 'Liverpool' and that's ok). They have made the whole thing about (made up) finance issues. It seems there is nothing else.

I want more about actual football. There is a long piece in the MEN (I know) by Simon B, about one of our young full backs Rico Lewis. It's very good and could have been even better. There is a young lad called something like Ellabodoui, who was decent but left and has even played against us, I think. He had to stop playing for 2 years, because he went blind, but is now starting again at Galatasery. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit about what Peterborough players are about and their journeys to football.This is what I expected from the Athletic.

The point being, they are so wrapped up in negative shit and clickbait, they are missing the whole point about supporting. They seem so wrapped up in the people one line who are just here for the trophies and not in the hard core support of teams.
It would appear we are a dying breed, and that would suit the Yank owners vision for the 'soccer franchise' business model and the ability to move the clubs or games where they want. It's going that way.

Well said. Football probably has the worst journalism of any major sport. What should be trivial peripheries are seemingly more important to the media nowadays than the game itself.
The depressing, clickbait led race to the bottom means football’s media landscape is now dominated by often exaggerated, misreported and/or out of context soundbites, contrived controversies and groundless gossip rather than considered reporting and informed, good faith, non-tribal discussion.
Sports like cricket, boxing, golf, rugby, tennis enjoy much better journalism than football. And a lot of that is not necessarily because these sports have better writers, but because they are allowed to be better writers

 

[dadnlad]

I used to get annoyed by some of the biased stuff the media wrote about us but my attitude is different now.

The way I see it, is if we weren't relevant nobody would write about us. The fact we see sportswashing articles, FFP cheats, dodgy sponsors article etc (usually after a win) just makes me smile now.

We wouldn't see these type of articles if we weren't relevant. Nobody gave a shit about us when we were "everyones favourite team from Manchester" when we were in division 1 or 2 or when we were lower down the PL.

As long as these click bit articles keep getting written, the more successful were likely to be so I'm fine with that. We will never be the media darlings, so there's no point wasting your time on them. I nist laugh them on and sip on our rivals fans and journalists tears. It's fantastic!

trouble is the shit sticks , someone was talking about dutch football cant remember team or why boom up pops "atleast he'll play in front of fans" and off it went empty this empty that and there job is done

 

[johnevans]

In case anyone has forgotten, two years ago we were sanctioned by European football's governing body, which saw fit to exclude us for two seasons from its competitions. It was a punishment that posed an existential threat to our club's ambitions to compete at the highest levels of English and European football.

The 'evidence' used as justification of UEFA's decision took the form of hacked internal correspondence. It was presented selectively in a foreign publication, but gave rise to intensive lobbying efforts on the part of rival clubs seeking to have strict penalties imposed on us. They were backed by the British sports media, whose hysterical coverage gave rise to a febrile atmosphere in which UEFA didn't feel it could be seen not to take strong action.

Two UK newspapers plus several individual journalists from other outlets (some with demonstrable links to the rival clubs pushing for us to be penalised) were instrumental in setting the tone for the more widespread reporting that created such an atmosphere. As was subsequently proven in the proceedings before the CAS, much of the reporting of the outlets and individuals I'm referring to was manifestly in bad faith, while some of it was outright mendacious.

These newspapers and individuals now lack the casus belli that they revelled in with regard to our FFP investigation. They very much haven't gone away, though: their attitude hasn't changed, and they're out to discredit our club however and whenever they can.

I appreciate that not everyone will be interested in discussing that, which is fine. Personally, though, I want to keep an eye on people who have a platform and admit that they want to use it to damage our club. This thread seems a perfectly suitable forum for discussing what I and others with a similar interest see. If others want to use that to say I'm a "radical" or in Sam Lee's words a "militant crank", then those are labels I utterly reject.

Agree entirely.

The continous mendacious and/or malicious articles written about our club this past 15 years or so need calling out wherever and whenever they appear. These have been created to serve to undermine our club in so many ways, mostly financially driven. In doing so they have sought to discredit our club especially in the eyes and opinions of the wider public.

If calling this out makes us 'tribal' or whatever description it suits sports media hacks to apply to us, then so be it. The very nature of being a supporter of a particular football club is to be part of that tribe, wherever it happens to be on this planet. So when my club and my tribe is attacked, I reserve the right to defend it and them.

But let me say, I will only (and I mean ONLY) do this with full consideration of the facts of each an every matter as it arises.

Thus, if my club or fellow Blues do something wrong/illegal, or fail to do the right thing morally, I will call them out on it (for example, our dreadful decision to get involved in the ESL; I know we were railroaded but had it been my call I would've said 'On yer bike' to that cartel, without question) Because that's who I am, how I was brought up to behave by my parents; how I learned to be as a manager in the pharmaceutical industry; and also in my subsequent career in Law since I retired from that industry.

So, if my club and my fellow Blues are attacked unfairly and without cessation, as they have been by certain parties for a decade and a half now, I will point out the injustice and unfairness of such attacks, without question, taking the perpetrators to task for their words and actions.

And to those who say these articles, these opinions etc are 'just part of the game, the 'bantz', something trivial that we shouldn't get riled up about', I say no, it is worthy of response, it should be confronted, not least because of the shady characters directing it in the background, who seek to benefit (especially financially) from undermining our club and (increasingly) our supporters.

Bullies, liars and dissemblers should always be challenged wherever and whoever they are. And that's exactly what these people are.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Well said. Football probably has the worst journalism of any major sport. What should be trivial peripheries are seemingly more important to the media nowadays than the game itself.
The depressing, clickbait led race to the bottom means football’s media landscape is now dominated by often exaggerated, misreported and/or out of context soundbites, contrived controversies and groundless gossip rather than considered reporting and informed, good faith, non-tribal discussion.
Sports like cricket, boxing, golf, rugby, tennis enjoy much better journalism than football. And a lot of that is not necessarily because these sports have better writers, but because they are allowed to be better writers

And this is the point. The vast majority of online and press stories about City are clickbait articles which fuel hatred from other fanbases or just distorted angles from press conferences which have already been watched by most fans. There are also lots of opnion pieces, often from freelancers who actually don't know much about football but have latched onto it as a meal ticket. There are very few interviews or proper analysis. Has anyone other than Bloomberg actually managed to do a proper interview with Khaldoon yet about City's real business model? Coverage of boxing and cricket is miles ahead of coverage of our national sport.