PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

It's going to be really interesting how the PL spin this when it comes, isn't it. Even if we are proved entirely innocent, they will surely try to portray it as some kind of moral victory, and at the same time cast us in as bad a light as is possible given the findings. Something along the lines of

While the tribunal did not find Manchester City guilty of breaching the letter of the rules, it did confirm that the club employed “unusually aggressive” financial structures and accounting practices which, although falling short of a technical breach, raised serious questions about the spirit in which the rules were interpreted.
 
It's going to be really interesting how the PL spin this when it comes, isn't it. Even if we are proved entirely innocent, they will surely try to portray it as some kind of moral victory, and at the same time cast us in as bad a light as is possible given the findings. Something along the lines of

While the tribunal did not find Manchester City guilty of breaching the letter of the rules, it did confirm that the club employed “unusually aggressive” financial structures and accounting practices which, although falling short of a technical breach, raised serious questions about the spirit in which the rules were interpreted.
I would think the PL will be running so scared they wouldn't dare.
 
I would think the PL will be running so scared they wouldn't dare.
Oh I'm sure they will. I asked Chatgpt what they might come up with and it said this:

The Premier League acknowledges the outcome of the independent tribunal’s exhaustive investigation into 115 alleged breaches of our financial regulations by Manchester City Football Club.

After a meticulous review of evidence, the tribunal concluded that Manchester City’s conduct—while not technically in breach of specific written rules—relied heavily on deliberate obfuscation, accounting loopholes, and an extraordinary degree of financial engineering. In the tribunal’s own words, the club operated at the very edge of what might be deemed permissible, often in ways that undermined the spirit, if not the letter, of our financial fair play regulations.

We brought this case because we believed the evidence pointed to serious and sustained efforts to gain unfair advantage through financial misrepresentation. While the tribunal found that these actions did not meet the threshold for formal rule-breaking, the League stands by its decision to pursue the matter. We owe it to the integrity of our competition—and to the other 19 clubs who play by the rules—to ensure that suspicious behaviour is scrutinised, even when the structures exploited fall into grey areas of regulation.

This outcome is a stark reminder that the current regulatory framework must evolve. That a club can engage in such systemic manipulation of its finances, while avoiding sanctions, should concern everyone who values fairness in sport.

The Premier League will continue to champion stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and meaningful consequences for those who choose to treat the rules as a technicality rather than a principle.

We will be making no further comment at this time.
 
I would think the PL will be running so scared they wouldn't dare.
when you look at their response to the APT findings even though it manifestly said that they were illegal unfortunately it is more than certain they will try the same bullshit with this to spin the optics because quite frankly engaging in a four year long forensic investigation into accounts going back 15 years to come up with nothing and then still taking it to arbitration is embarrassing.
 
Oh I'm sure they will. I asked Chatgpt what they might come up with and it said this:

The Premier League acknowledges the outcome of the independent tribunal’s exhaustive investigation into 115 alleged breaches of our financial regulations by Manchester City Football Club.

After a meticulous review of evidence, the tribunal concluded that Manchester City’s conduct—while not technically in breach of specific written rules—relied heavily on deliberate obfuscation, accounting loopholes, and an extraordinary degree of financial engineering. In the tribunal’s own words, the club operated at the very edge of what might be deemed permissible, often in ways that undermined the spirit, if not the letter, of our financial fair play regulations.

We brought this case because we believed the evidence pointed to serious and sustained efforts to gain unfair advantage through financial misrepresentation. While the tribunal found that these actions did not meet the threshold for formal rule-breaking, the League stands by its decision to pursue the matter. We owe it to the integrity of our competition—and to the other 19 clubs who play by the rules—to ensure that suspicious behaviour is scrutinised, even when the structures exploited fall into grey areas of regulation.

This outcome is a stark reminder that the current regulatory framework must evolve. That a club can engage in such systemic manipulation of its finances, while avoiding sanctions, should concern everyone who values fairness in sport.

The Premier League will continue to champion stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and meaningful consequences for those who choose to treat the rules as a technicality rather than a principle.

We will be making no further comment at this time.
Fuck brilliant is that the premier league response
Sounds like it brilliant post
 
when you look at their response to the APT findings even though it manifestly said that they were illegal unfortunately it is more than certain they will try the same bullshit with this to spin the optics because quite frankly engaging in a four year long forensic investigation into accounts going back 15 years to come up with nothing and then still taking it to arbitration is embarrassing.
Yep. Throws the entire organisation into disrepute and at the same time, makes them look like idiots. The supporters of all other clubs have already been brainwashed into believing we must surely be guilty, irrespective of any findings, so the PL will inevitably play on this and try to say we are guilty even if the tribunal didn't find any wrongdoing.
 
It's going to be really interesting how the PL spin this when it comes, isn't it. Even if we are proved entirely innocent, they will surely try to portray it as some kind of moral victory, and at the same time cast us in as bad a light as is possible given the findings. Something along the lines of

While the tribunal did not find Manchester City guilty of breaching the letter of the rules, it did confirm that the club employed “unusually aggressive” financial structures and accounting practices which, although falling short of a technical breach, raised serious questions about the spirit in which the rules were interpreted.
When Leicester were cleared the PL’s opening gambit in their statement was “we are disappointed by the findings of the independent panel”.

They have no regard for the teams in their own fucking league, apart from you know who.
 
Could be the end of the season
Good shout that I think. If they have to eat humble pie, they may delay it as long as possible. And the fact there's as yet been no announcement, is IMO a very good sign for us. Surely these bastards would not wait to crow over their wonderful victory if we'd be found guilty.
 
Oh I'm sure they will. I asked Chatgpt what they might come up with and it said this:

The Premier League acknowledges the outcome of the independent tribunal’s exhaustive investigation into 115 alleged breaches of our financial regulations by Manchester City Football Club.

After a meticulous review of evidence, the tribunal concluded that Manchester City’s conduct—while not technically in breach of specific written rules—relied heavily on deliberate obfuscation, accounting loopholes, and an extraordinary degree of financial engineering. In the tribunal’s own words, the club operated at the very edge of what might be deemed permissible, often in ways that undermined the spirit, if not the letter, of our financial fair play regulations.

We brought this case because we believed the evidence pointed to serious and sustained efforts to gain unfair advantage through financial misrepresentation. While the tribunal found that these actions did not meet the threshold for formal rule-breaking, the League stands by its decision to pursue the matter. We owe it to the integrity of our competition—and to the other 19 clubs who play by the rules—to ensure that suspicious behaviour is scrutinised, even when the structures exploited fall into grey areas of regulation.

This outcome is a stark reminder that the current regulatory framework must evolve. That a club can engage in such systemic manipulation of its finances, while avoiding sanctions, should concern everyone who values fairness in sport.

The Premier League will continue to champion stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and meaningful consequences for those who choose to treat the rules as a technicality rather than a principle.

We will be making no further comment at this time.

Oh I'm sure they will. I asked Chatgpt what they might come up with and it said this:

The Premier League acknowledges the outcome of the independent tribunal’s exhaustive investigation into 115 alleged breaches of our financial regulations by Manchester City Football Club.

After a meticulous review of evidence, the tribunal concluded that Manchester City’s conduct—while not technically in breach of specific written rules—relied heavily on deliberate obfuscation, accounting loopholes, and an extraordinary degree of financial engineering. In the tribunal’s own words, the club operated at the very edge of what might be deemed permissible, often in ways that undermined the spirit, if not the letter, of our financial fair play regulations.

We brought this case because we believed the evidence pointed to serious and sustained efforts to gain unfair advantage through financial misrepresentation. While the tribunal found that these actions did not meet the threshold for formal rule-breaking, the League stands by its decision to pursue the matter. We owe it to the integrity of our competition—and to the other 19 clubs who play by the rules—to ensure that suspicious behaviour is scrutinised, even when the structures exploited fall into grey areas of regulation.

This outcome is a stark reminder that the current regulatory framework must evolve. That a club can engage in such systemic manipulation of its finances, while avoiding sanctions, should concern everyone who values fairness in sport.

The Premier League will continue to champion stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and meaningful consequences for those who choose to treat the rules as a technicality rather than a principle.

We will be making no further comment at this time.
I know this is a fictional statement and it's fun to read but ....If "sharp" financial practices are to be condemed I can think of a few clubs that have had a free pass . Not saying most fans of other teams wouldn't lap this statement up but ....hello Chelsea , hello United etc . Double standards right there.


Also isn't the last paragraph unlikely as it seems to be making the case for an independent regulator .
 
Oh I'm sure they will. I asked Chatgpt what they might come up with and it said this:

The Premier League acknowledges the outcome of the independent tribunal’s exhaustive investigation into 115 alleged breaches of our financial regulations by Manchester City Football Club.

After a meticulous review of evidence, the tribunal concluded that Manchester City’s conduct—while not technically in breach of specific written rules—relied heavily on deliberate obfuscation, accounting loopholes, and an extraordinary degree of financial engineering. In the tribunal’s own words, the club operated at the very edge of what might be deemed permissible, often in ways that undermined the spirit, if not the letter, of our financial fair play regulations.

We brought this case because we believed the evidence pointed to serious and sustained efforts to gain unfair advantage through financial misrepresentation. While the tribunal found that these actions did not meet the threshold for formal rule-breaking, the League stands by its decision to pursue the matter. We owe it to the integrity of our competition—and to the other 19 clubs who play by the rules—to ensure that suspicious behaviour is scrutinised, even when the structures exploited fall into grey areas of regulation.

This outcome is a stark reminder that the current regulatory framework must evolve. That a club can engage in such systemic manipulation of its finances, while avoiding sanctions, should concern everyone who values fairness in sport.

The Premier League will continue to champion stronger financial oversight, greater transparency, and meaningful consequences for those who choose to treat the rules as a technicality rather than a principle.

We will be making no further comment at this time.
I bet they had that prepared and will now be shredding it!
 

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