City are playing this the only way they can which is with a straight bat.
The series of der Spiegel articles, culminating with yesterday’s article, which was close to an opinion piece, and the release of certain emails.
As long as the emails were not legally obtained then City’s refusal to engage makes an investigation difficult as in effect the evidence for the investigation would be inadmissible. That’s why the likes of Harris, Castles, Draper and Northcroft want City to comment, once City comment then they’ve allowed comment on the emails. In effect the only options available are to deny the emails are correct, inadvertent verify the emails or worst case potentially show inconsistency with our previous FFP submissions. Saying nothing is to goad UEFA and the FA into a problematic investigation based on the articles alone.
Whoever is driving the Der Spiegel articles is hoping, but not expecting, City to be sanctioned but the real aim is destroy our reputation and taint our success.
It’s aim is to convict City in the court of public opinion and to extent it has already succeeded.