PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

Prestwich_Blue said:
I've had a number of discussions about this.

Initially it was orders from above and I can see why, as there was no desire to come out with all guns blazing and put the backs of the media up. But we did take action when warranted, including against The Sun for a untrue story that Sheikh Mansour had gifted each player and expensive watch. There was also the story that Mancini had been in the crowd at Hughes' last game.

I was also told that we did a lot of work behind the scenes, so if we weren't happy with a story we'd approach the journalists then their editors. And I'm told there have been cases where there has been substantial sums paid to charities for untrue stories.

There was also a general view that everything would calm down once we were seen as a successful club. Quite clearly there was an astonishing level of naivety over the attitude of our detractors in hindsight, and the level of control and influence they had over people in the media.

The next tactic involved trying to bring selected journalists onside, by giving them more information and generally being more open with them. Sadly those selected journalists appear to have included Nick Harris, Conn, probably Winter and Ziegler, and possibly even Delaney as well. I know they flew Conn out to Abu Dhabi for an exclusive with Khaldoon. That tactic obviously ended badly.

By 2019 the scales had finally fallen from their eyes and one senior club official dragged me into a quiet corner muttering darkly about the US-owned clubs and geopolitics. There were also interesting snippets about specific journalists, including Delaney. He'd turned between us winning the PL at Brighton in 2019 and the FA Cup Final that completed the quadruple. I was told he was definitely being fed his lines by another red-shirt wearing, US-owned club.

I also suspect there's also some reluctance to wield the big stick as we don't want any unfavorable comparisons with press freedom in the UAE. But, as I've said before, we should be publicly acting against stuff likr the baseless and unsubstantiated vitriol put out by Herbert. Make him justify his allegations about us wanting to destroy financial regulation in football in a courtroom. That's not stifling the freedom of the press. The other shills would think twice if we did that.
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Thanks for that. It’s the best attempt I’ve seen at a proper answer to that oft-asked question on here or anywhere else. Not everyone might not like or agree with all those decisions, but it is an explanation.
 
LongsightM13 said:
The Watford cup final was clearly when a certain group of hacks went into overdrive, wouldn’t be at all surprised if they’d all had the same brief from one of our enemies
Iirc it was in the press conference after the final the lowlife (edit) Rob Harris asked Pep, without any substance or evidence, if he was taking money off the books?
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There was a very revealing exchange three years ago in the media thread for 2021/22 between me and Ste Tudor of the 93:20 pod, posting as Lucky Toma (#he doesn't seem to be on here any longer). Prior to that, he was warned as follows with regard to his comments on City as a freelance sports writer by someone well known in the field. The exact words were: "You think [coverage of City is] bad now. It's going to get a lot, lot worse and you need to make sure you're on the right side".

As the man said, "Organised and clear". The client journalists were and are doing their masters' bidding.
 
petrusha said:
There was a very revealing exchange three years ago in the media thread for 2021/22 between me and Ste Tudor of the 93:20 pod, posting as Lucky Toma (#he doesn't seem to be on here any longer). Prior to that, he was warned as follows with regard to his comments on City as a freelance sports writer by someone well known in the field. The exact words were: "You think [coverage of City is] bad now. It's going to get a lot, lot worse and you need to make sure you're on the right side".

As the man said, "Organised and clear". The client journalists were and are doing their masters' bidding.
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Wasn't he told in no uncertain terms he was damaging his career by refusing to sell out to Murdoch et al and needed to smell the coffee?
 
Nephin Man said:
Wasn't he told in no uncertain terms he was damaging his career by refusing to sell out to Murdoch et al and needed to smell the coffee?
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He talks about it himself in the thread I've linked to but I remember him discussing it on the pod as well. The exact words he quoted on this board are reproduced in the above post of mine. But the implication was clear: back the wrong horse (i.e. City) and it'll damage your career.
 
Sorry if already posted but award winning journalist Connor Humm from football insider says we're getting charged with ' a lot' of the 115 charges and will get a transfer ban in the coming months. We're fucked guys Connor has wrote.

His profile has him in an Arsenal shirt, pmsl
 
petrusha said:
There was a very revealing exchange three years ago in the media thread for 2021/22 between me and Ste Tudor of the 93:20 pod, posting as Lucky Toma (#he doesn't seem to be on here any longer). Prior to that, he was warned as follows with regard to his comments on City as a freelance sports writer by someone well known in the field. The exact words were: "You think [coverage of City is] bad now. It's going to get a lot, lot worse and you need to make sure you're on the right side".

As the man said, "Organised and clear". The client journalists were and are doing their masters' bidding.
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This is one of the differences of opinion I have with Stefan, who seems to have the belief that the PL is acting entirely independently and rationally, and is on sound legal grounds, in pursuing these charges.

He seemingly struggles to believe or comprehend the lengths our detractors will go to in order to besmirch us.

This is partly what underpins my belief that the charges, when we finally get to see the verdict and the details behind them, aren't as serious as is being made out.
 
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Fordyboy46 said:
Sorry if already posted but award winning journalist Connor Humm from football insider says we're getting charged with ' a lot' of the 115 charges and will get a transfer ban in the coming months. We're fucked guys Connor has wrote.

His profile has him in an Arsenal shirt, pmsl
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Football insider..Lol just another channel with what over 100k subscribers. Clear andObviois. Look at Statman dave ( **** fot blocked) as I just.dont want to read his drivel.
ALL FOR INTERACTIONS AND GROWING OF THE EVER GROWING YOU TUBE SO CALLED FOOTBALL EXPERTS.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
This is one of the differences of opinion I have with Stefan, who seems to have the belief that the PL is acting entirely independently and rationally, and is on sound legal grounds, in pursuing these charges.

He seemingly struggles to believe or comprehend the lengths our detractors will go to in order to besmirch us.

This is partly what underpins my belief that the charges, whenwe finally get to see the verdict and the details behind them, aren't as serious as is being made out.
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I reckon the PL has given it a good go in terms of nailing us with any evidence of a serious breach that it can muster. It's spent an awful lot of money, time and effort as it's tried to do so.

I think it may well emerge that the PL has overstretched itself in that attempt. And I certainly don't regard it as a competently led organisation that invariably acts in good faith. The more we see of it, the less it looks that way.

But we just don't know what evidence they've been putting forward. I find it difficult to see what evidence they could possibly have to make any serious charges out to the necessary standard of proof.

However, remember the length of time the hearing took. That suggests them case involved a bit more than just suggesting that the panel just look at the emails because everything would then be obvious.

None of that means I think it will be shown that the PL was justified in bringing most of the accusations. I think there's a good possibility otherwise, but at present I'm guessing when I say that.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
This is one of the differences of opinion I have with Stefan, who seems to have the belief that the PL is acting entirely independently and rationally, and is on sound legal grounds, in pursuing these charges.

He seemingly struggles to believe or comprehend the lengths our detractors will go to in order to besmirch us.

This is partly what underpins my belief that the charges, when we finally get to see the verdict and the details behind them, aren't as serious as is being made out.
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Yes, it's pretending politics doesn't exist.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
I've had a number of discussions about this.

Initially it was orders from above and I can see why, as there was no desire to come out with all guns blazing and put the backs of the media up. But we did take action when warranted, including against The Sun for a untrue story that Sheikh Mansour had gifted each player and expensive watch. There was also the story that Mancini had been in the crowd at Hughes' last game.

I was also told that we did a lot of work behind the scenes, so if we weren't happy with a story we'd approach the journalists then their editors. And I'm told there have been cases where there has been substantial sums paid to charities for untrue stories.

There was also a general view that everything would calm down once we were seen as a successful club. Quite clearly there was an astonishing level of naivety over the attitude of our detractors in hindsight, and the level of control and influence they had over people in the media.

The next tactic involved trying to bring selected journalists onside, by giving them more information and generally being more open with them. Sadly those selected journalists appear to have included Nick Harris, Conn, probably Winter and Ziegler, and possibly even Delaney as well. I know they flew Conn out to Abu Dhabi for an exclusive with Khaldoon. That tactic obviously ended badly.

By 2019 the scales had finally fallen from their eyes and one senior club official dragged me into a quiet corner muttering darkly about the US-owned clubs and geopolitics. There were also interesting snippets about specific journalists, including Delaney. He'd turned between us winning the PL at Brighton in 2019 and the FA Cup Final that completed the quadruple. I was told he was definitely being fed his lines by another red-shirt wearing, US-owned club.

I also suspect there's also some reluctance to wield the big stick as we don't want any unfavorable comparisons with press freedom in the UAE. But, as I've said before, we should be publicly acting against stuff likr the baseless and unsubstantiated vitriol put our by Herbert. Make him justify his allegations about us wanting to destroy financial regulation in football in a courtroom. That's not stifling the freedom of the press. The other shills would think twice if we did that.
Click to expand...
I honestly think we should employ an old school press officer in the mould of Alastair Campbell or Bernard Ingham. And use Carter-Ruck for this type of legal matter. I don't like any of them but they are/were effective.
 
During one of my consultancy assignments big emotive changes were being made to employee terms and conditions. The Chairman asked me to find a spin doctor to help guide the senior executives during the change and to manage the external comms. I met three before one was chosen. All were despicable low life’s. They are all for sale and only really bothered about themselves. Truth and honesty appeared to be an afterthought. We should not be surprised given the powerbrokers behind the media that our stick has been covered in shit for years.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
This is one of the differences of opinion I have with Stefan, who seems to have the belief that the PL is acting entirely independently and rationally, and is on sound legal grounds, in pursuing these charges.

He seemingly struggles to believe or comprehend the lengths our detractors will go to in order to besmirch us.

This is partly what underpins my belief that the charges, whenwe finally get to see the verdict and the details behind them, aren't as serious as is being made out.
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As always, I agree with everyone :)

I agree with you that, in the sense that the PL has little likelihood of any significant success, the allegations aren't particularly serious. I have made that point many times on here and I have no qualms about repeating it now. I am very relaxed about it.

But that doesn't mean I can't accept that the allegations themselves are very, very serious. A point I am sure we will see will have been one of the very first on which the club agreed with the PL and the members of the panel when we finally see the judgment.
 
petrusha said:
I reckon the PL has given it a good go in terms of nailing us with any evidence of a serious breach that it can muster. It's spent an awful lot of money, time and effort as it's tried to do so.

I think it may well emerge that the PL has overstretched itself in that attempt. And I certainly don't regard it as a competently led organisation that invariably acts in good faith. The more we see of it, the less it looks that way.

But we just don't know what evidence they've been putting forward. I find it difficult to see what evidence they could possibly have to make any serious charges out to the necessary standard of proof.

However, remember the length of time the hearing took. That suggests them case involved a bit more than just suggesting that the panel just look at the emails because everything would then be obvious.

None of that means I think it will be shown that the PL was justified in bringing most of the accusations. I think there's a good possibility otherwise, but at present I'm guessing when I say that.
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Could it also be they've backed themselves into a corner, are consequently fighting for survival in their jobs, so feel they have nothing to lose and have come out all guns blazing, bulls in a china shop? My feeling from how they've dealt with City is of people short on humility and magnanimity in the last chance saloon. They were hoping the UEFA action would do the job, but had to resort to Plan B after CAS. How they messed up the initial annoucement of the charges was Keystone Cops, which together with the 2 subsequent APT reversals, doesn't inspire confidence in the substance of their actions.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
I've had a number of discussions about this.

Initially it was orders from above and I can see why, as there was no desire to come out with all guns blazing and put the backs of the media up. But we did take action when warranted, including against The Sun for a untrue story that Sheikh Mansour had gifted each player and expensive watch. There was also the story that Mancini had been in the crowd at Hughes' last game.

I was also told that we did a lot of work behind the scenes, so if we weren't happy with a story we'd approach the journalists then their editors. And I'm told there have been cases where there has been substantial sums paid to charities for untrue stories.

There was also a general view that everything would calm down once we were seen as a successful club. Quite clearly there was an astonishing level of naivety over the attitude of our detractors in hindsight, and the level of control and influence they had over people in the media.

The next tactic involved trying to bring selected journalists onside, by giving them more information and generally being more open with them. Sadly those selected journalists appear to have included Nick Harris, Conn, probably Winter and Ziegler, and possibly even Delaney as well. I know they flew Conn out to Abu Dhabi for an exclusive with Khaldoon. That tactic obviously ended badly.

By 2019 the scales had finally fallen from their eyes and one senior club official dragged me into a quiet corner muttering darkly about the US-owned clubs and geopolitics. There were also interesting snippets about specific journalists, including Delaney. He'd turned between us winning the PL at Brighton in 2019 and the FA Cup Final that completed the quadruple. I was told he was definitely being fed his lines by another red-shirt wearing, US-owned club.

I also suspect there's also some reluctance to wield the big stick as we don't want any unfavorable comparisons with press freedom in the UAE. But, as I've said before, we should be publicly acting against stuff likr the baseless and unsubstantiated vitriol put our by Herbert. Make him justify his allegations about us wanting to destroy financial regulation in football in a courtroom. That's not stifling the freedom of the press. The other shills would think twice if we did that.
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Thanks for that in depth reply. It fits with the conversation I had with a board member a few years ago.
I believe after the tribunal the tide might well turn.
 
BREAKING NEWS.....

Following intervention from Agent Orange (AKA Donald Trump powered by Sunny Delight), The Premier League have dropped all charges against Manchester City.

It is believed Abu Dhabi will surrender half it's Sovereign Wealth to the Red Cartel + 1.

wee Donald will get a 30% cut from Oil and Gas reserves, Gaza with Ukraine picking up the tab for the clear up and preparing the ground for numerous golf courses. Brothels, gambling dens etc will also be supplied for brokering the deal.

The EFL and grass roots football will be receiving £37.20 and a pack of Hershey Bars to share amongst themselves.
 
At-Swim-Two-Birds said:
I honestly think we should employ an old school press officer in the mould of Alastair Campbell or Bernard Ingham. And use Carter-Ruck for this type of legal matter. I don't like any of them but they are/were effective.
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Our old press officer Paul Tyrrell (who is now COO at Villa I believe) was old school.

It was Chris Bailey I think who told me that PT came into the City job, when Chris was the City reporter at the MEN. He expected to get a call from Tyrrell where they'd have a friendly discussion about how they'd work together.

But what Tyrrell said was basically on the lines of "If you write anything I don't like, you'll be signing your own P45".

Could do with someone like that now.
 
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