Unfortunately, he's somehow landed himself a gig writing for an internationally renowned paper in the New York Times, so plenty of people will.
Panja's just an arsehole.
First of all, he produces an article citing Yves Leterme as a source. Leterme made an absolute balls-up of the initial Investigatory Chamber probe into City. His handling of the PSG case was so laughable that UEFA ended up appealing against its own decision. His chequered political career in Belgium involved a resignation as PM for his handling of a banking scandal. Given City's public criticism of him after the UEFA proceedings, he clearly as an axe to grind.
The fact that Panja thinks Leterme's opinion is worth anything at all says much more about Panja than it does about the case.
Your point above about our history is absolutely spot on. And if we did sing what's attributed to us (and I've no idea, having not been there), given that most Blues would trust MCFC when our execs say the club will be vindicated, it's quite clearly a joke. No surprise that he can't tell, though, the humourless fucking vacuum of talent!