PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

[lancs blue]

if those irregularities exist in 2022, why didn’t they exist previously in every financial year when the PL checked our accounts?
And if they did, why didn’t the PL act on them at the time?

Because 10 years ago we'd only won one PL title, this investigation appears to have started around the time of the 100 points season, which probably set alarm bells ringing at the red-shirted clubs.

 

[blueinsa]

That's how it was.

The rules were changed after we submitted and we took the pinch, because we were assured it was just enough red meat to keep the wolves from the door, but it was a lie, the wolves have been at us ever since.

City cannot win this as we've already lost, global football is global brand and our brand is in the toilet. We might win this case some ways down the line, but what will we have lost in the meantime?

As I've said, the process is the punishment.

The process is absolutely the punishment.

We can only hope that we have so much dirt on others and that we are willing to come out all guns blazing here.

 

[tonea2003]

I hate to break it to you and others mate, but these history clubs don't pay the media.

They don't need any help or motivation to write shit about City.

We are simply gatecrashers to a closed shop and that familiarity with them means clicks mean pounds for them.

A generation of brain washed gimps, trying to smear City's achievements and ensure the current and next generations aren't Blues.

Clear and obvious...

its as simple as that and the fear is a beautiful smell

 

[Father Paul]

That's how it was.

The rules were changed after we submitted and we took the pinch, because we were assured it was just enough red meat to keep the wolves from the door, but it was a lie, the wolves have been at us ever since.

City cannot win this as we've already lost, global football is global brand and our brand is in the toilet. We might win this case some ways down the line, but what will we have lost in the meantime?

As I've said, the process is the punishment.

A bit negative I think with respect to the global brand. Most of the world will give as much notice to reputational damage to the City brand as they have to the American European sanctions on Russia.
While I accept the process which is insidious and it appears infinite is a nuisance it is the punishment which is the real concern. That could derail the project and as far as the red scum are concerned nail us permanently back in our box.

 

[Father Paul]

I sincerely think this way way more serious mate. What is it 112 charges?
If found guilty (and there is no CAS) we could loose our prem status. In fact I believe we will. also those titles will go to the scum and the victims.

I think you need to read a bit more of the thread mate it might enhance your knowledge which is if I might say a bit threadbare.

 

[mcfcpride]

Why should it take years?


It a simple matter, did we commit fraud, we say we have irrefutable evidence, show the evidence and if it's true we are cleared.

The PL had 4 years to build their case. Why shouldnt City be afforded adequate time to defend themselves and address each charge?

 

[bluemoon32]

I think you need to read a bit more of the thread mate it might enhance your knowledge which is if I might say a bit threadbare.

In fairness, there are only a few posters who seems to have any insight into this.
The majority of the 908 pages are just full of "we will be fine" or " we are fucked" posts, mine included ha

 

[halfcenturyup]

I can only assume that the Premier League have an informant from within the club, whether it be a former backroom staff member, player etc that can back up their charges against the club.

I cannot believe they can prove any of the charges they have levied against us other than the “Noncooperation” without such a back up.
This might explain why the normal inspection of our accounts each year were passed.

If this scenario exists - then it adds more credence to their charges and City will need to discredit such evidence.

Unless that "back-up" has actual evidence of how any misdemeanours were accounted for, then it's hearsay.

Even if a player, let's say, was being paid some money from AD and he has the bank statements to prove it, it doesn't mean that the payments weren't accounted for properly in the accounting. And even if they weren't, it wouldn't mean the annual accounts were fraudulent or didn't give a true and fair view as one player wouldn't be material. It would probably breach PL disclosure rules and would mis-state the information used for FFP calculations but, unless they have 10, 20 or 30 of these "back-ups" lined up they couldn't show it wasn't an exceptional case.

Personally, I think it is unlikely they have any "back-up" and if they have a problem with how we pay players, it's probably to do with image rights as a construct, for example, rather than how we handled individual players.

 

[Plays By Sense Of Smell]

Because the process will ensure that it does.

This isn't like an arm wrestling contest, over in moments, the strongest the winner. This is akin to war, where a sequence of long and costly battles are fought, leading eventually, over time, to a victor.

Looks to me as if the PL don't have a smoking gun to win this quickly, so they've piled the accusations high in the hope that a few might stick. Everything about this tells me there's been a complete breakdown in the relationship between City and the PL. Be under no illusion, there's real hate in all this, as there should be, there's hundreds and hundreds of millions in revenue at stake here.

If ever there was a case for an independent football regulator to bang heads it's this, it's no coincidence this case was brought before we have one.

Just out of interest, would an independent regulator be able to look back at previous...shenanigans...that might involve the behaviour of...the PL itself...?

 

[bluemoon32]

The PL had 4 years to build their case. Why shouldnt City be afforded adequate time to defend themselves and address each charge?

I think the excuse will be that it only took them 4 years as we were completely unhelpful in their investigation & blocked them every way

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

That’s exactly what I said to all the scousers in work yesterday, at some point the penny will drop and they will realise the true implications of what they have stated, this is so much more than Manchester City now.

Scousers in work?

Fuck me, the world really is a fucked up place right now.

 

[Tim of the Oak]

Stefan made some very interesting points in his latest podcast.

Firstly, it’s inexplicable, given the time frames, that we could not sit down in a room with the boffins in the PL and not arrive at some sort of deal that saved the face of both parties, and saved millions and millions in the process.

Secondly, given the magnitude, gravity and complexity of the allegations, and everything that this sort of case brings with it in terms of evidence and witnesses, a 3 member PL panel is completely ill-equipped to deal with the demands of such a case.

Thirdly, and very importantly, if (and I emphasise if) we are found to have falsified information, then the biggest losers are we, the diehard fans. Our Board has stewardship over the management of the club. They owe a duty to us to manage the affairs of City in a manner that ensures we, as fans, can enjoy the fruits of their labour.

When I consider all of this, I’m not normally a conspiracy theorist. I don’t believe that Michael Jackson and Elvis are hanging out in some dark dingy bar in Tennessee.

However, the timing of this announcement, the manner in which was announced (complete with journalist tipoff), the vague sweeping nature of the charges, and the nature of the current leadership of the PL, leads me to a conclusion that we have been well and truly set up.

So is it a set up or is there a face saving deal to be had? It can’t, realistically, be both.

Us the fans have had the times of our lives.

 

[Keeper!]

Exactly. Much as we don't want to admit it, City are small fry in all if this, a minor investment in the grander scheme of things.

Reputational damage extends beyond the Club and I don't believe the Premier League have truly digested what the ramifications are for years to come.

I suspect Khaldoon and Sheikh Mansour will want to be heard personally by these spunk bubble fuck-wits.

"I suspect Khaldoon and Sheikh Mansour will want to be heard personally by these spunk bubble fuck-wits."


I would expect no other,the hornets nest has been well and truly disturbed.

 

[blueinsa]

The aim here is all out corporate damage. The hope that sponsors walk and we can’t attract. The hope that Pep walks, players want away, transfer targets think twice….

I’ve little doubt the punishment will be 2-3 years of transfer bans and relegation meaning no CL, no CL revenues and no big players coming and many wanting away.

We have a huge fight on our hands sadly as I don’t see anyone coming to fight our corner here.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

The more time passes, and the more we find out, it is looking increasingly clear that the realistic sanctions are nothing like as severe as originally mooted.

Surely you're not overly surprised?

Each time the various twats go for us it's always inflated.

There maybe bits & bobs we've done wrong/twisted by 'The Man' and some sort of action but sensationalist shite sells papers, gets us a bad reputation etc.

Obviously I have no insider knowledge but I'd be more than shocked if this ended up with anything more other than a small fine if that.

 

[champo]

Wrong, if they ignore clear and obvious evidence then the PL is &ucked legally.

I really want to believe you but no matter how professional these panel members are they will have biases like we all do. I just can’t see how they will rule against those who instruct them. The same as how unsurprisingly UEFAs panel sided with them.

 

[Keeper!]

I really want to believe you but no matter how professional these panel members are they will have biases like we all do. I just can’t see how they will rule against those who instruct them. The same as how unsurprisingly UEFAs panel sided with them.

It's gone way past that stage, this is now a fight for the serious players, hence Lord Pannick, and as Tolmie has hinted, a guest appearance by no other than HRH Sheik Mansour, I would love to be a fly on the wall when he rocks up in his Saville Row finest and some no mark from the PL accuses him off cooking the books, a true popcorn moment.

 

[Plays By Sense Of Smell]

Lets be honest, we will never be innocent in the eyes of the media and most people, if we get off it will be because we had 240,000 lawyers or we bought people off.

That's the general view of a Middlesboro fan at work. He can't believe that this would happen if there weren't something there (ergo, we must be guilty).

And that the only reason CAS didn't charge us was because of time-barring.
And that we will just pay them off again this time.

He's normally quite intelligent when it comes to work...

 

[fanakapan]

Every file,email from the "evidence" should be forensically checked for creation date and IP address.

 

[SilverFox2]

It will go on for years whether it is or it isn't.

I agree fully.
Our owner was not wanted by the establishment from day 1
.
This attitude will remain as long as he continues his investment.

The PL biased rules are for City particularly to observe to the letter both on and off the field.
Not fair of course but it is their rules so they don't intend it to be fair.
Their message continues to say to Sheikh M we told you not to invest in our league.

Surely we understand this will never change by now.?