After a few hours of analysing..
You'll have to forgive me using American terms in italics a bit here
This is a "hail mary" last attempt from the Cartel.
If it works, shows the LBO model works for them.
If it doesn't work, they show no one can compete with Amazon/ Google.
Google was willing to run huge losses to compete and show the public it had a better way of doing searches.
Sorta reminds me of Apple went for the kill on Google a while ago, but they were able to survive because they bought Motorola (which owned patents), which Apple needed licensing from or they couldn't compete.
We need to have that sort of ace in the hole to win this cleanly - that they need us in some way!
But legally speaking it might not surprise me if:
a. They are unable to connect this cleanly - since the burden of proof is on the accuser, rather than using wishful thinking
b. If they somehow do connect it - since the American owners are after money money money, we offer them more money than they could dream of to get the fuck out. (confidentially)
But this'll stink up the place and we'll always have a shadow over us.. maybe that's their thinking after all.. throw everything at the wall to make it stink and hope it stinks so bad, our top targets have second thoughts - the very season we need a huge rebuild!
That might be their end goal.. if they win, they get money, if they don't win, they weaken us in the transfer market!
I don't think this will be a "slam dunk" for either party and we'll never get the juicy details.. only that the parties have agreed on EPL or City paying a public fine of x amount, while not being proven guilty of whatever!