Football Leaks/Der Spiegel articles

[mrbelfry]

They aren't though. They're constantly referring back to the Spiegel story and talking about that rather than any wider issue that could get them into legal hot water. The Goal article about potential punishments had a very interesting disclaimer at the bottom of story saying it had been done on the basis that the allegations made were true and that they had no reason to back them up. It's why so much of the reporting has been done extremely carefully in this country.

Then it just further demonstrates what a load of hot air is being generated. The vitriol and anger, accusations of cheating and calls to be reinvestigated or banned based on a report they cannot verify demonstrates nothing good about our press

 

[Henkeman]

Then it just further demonstrates what a load of hot air is being generated. The vitriol and anger, accusations of cheating and calls to be reinvestigated or banned based on a report they cannot verify demonstrates nothing good about our press

In general they're in a tough position. They can't completely ignore it, but nor can they take risks. So they talk around the allegations having been made. Virtually no one has gone out on a limb and made direct accusations, it's all couched in "Spiegel reports that...". It's walking a tightrope, and relying on an innocent dissemination defence.

 

[Chippy_boy]

How have we defrauded the tax-man. If we've correctly recorded all our revenue and expenses then we're fine.

The only possible issue could be over that agreement with Mancini but he's not a UK national and presumably was non-domiciled as well. Non-dom's don't pay tax on income earned outside the UK that isn't brought into the UK. One thing for sure is that, as far as I'm aware, UEFA have no power to force us to hand over documents and emails.

I'm not suggesting we have, but the question has been raised.

But regards your final question, UEFA could ask and we could refuse. However, if it went court - either us taking them, or them us - then we could be compelled to hand them over. Which could cramp our style somewhat.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Have people heard today’s 93:20 podcast?

Very well informed and unbiased from Stefan. We've almost certainly not broken any laws or broken any ffp rules since the settlement.

 

[Henkeman]

I'm not suggesting we have, but the question has been raised.

But regards your final question, UEFA could ask and we could refuse. However, if it went court - either us taking them, or them us - then we could be compelled to hand them over. Which could cramp our style somewhat.

But were that to happen, then you can be absolutely certain that City would be asking for UEFA to hand over all emails as well. And I can't imagine they'd be at all keen on that.

 

[Oleole123]

Bayern is not behind this at all, they are suing Spiegel.

 

[lancs blue]

Bayern is not behind this at all, they are suing Spiegel.

That's called having your cake and eating it. ;-)

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Der Spiegel's editorial today? Nothing to see here...

Looking at Bayern's income, it actually went down in 2017 compared to 2016. They aren't getting more from matchday revenues, they've maxed out their media income from domestic and UEFA prize money and their commercial income is already the highest in the football world so that's not shooting up either, whereas we've still got some upside.

They're in danger of falling down the European pecking order, like the Milan teams, as their wage bill is about 2/3rd's of ours and the other clubs up there so they're not able to attract the top rank of world players. A Super League is their only chance to increase income and stay relevant.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

On the Mail website today is an article headlined "HMRC warn Manchester City it will be 'relentless in pursuing' club if they have tried to evade paying tax". There's a shot of the inside of the Etiahd with the caption "Manchester City will be 'pursued relentlessly' if they failed to pay their share of tax". Yet no quotes by HMRC mention City at all and refer only to any club transgressing.

I'll leave it to fellow Bluemooners to decide whether there's any agenda or not.

Another piece of fake news with no balance or context. No mention of the investigation launched into United's avoidance of corporation tax in 2012 after it was revealed that they had paid just £3.5m tax in the previous six years. Presumably that probe has just vanished into the sea off the Cayman Islands where all the Rags' finances are based. Still what can you expect from a club whose manager recently received a suspended jail sentence after admitting tax fraud in the Spanish courts. Never mind I'm sure the stalwarts of the Uk media like Matthew Syed and James Ducker will be all over this scandal like a rash. Don't hold your breath.

 

[Metalartin]

Sorry if already posted but I'd missed it if it had:


Seems quite balanced about it, not jumping to our defence but we can't really expect that.