Media thread 2022/23

[bobbyowenquiff]

Exactly. And I would expect the same treatment for them.

There may well be similar activity underway in relation to other clubs. The simple fact is that the rate of our financial growth since 2008 makes City the most obvious (and probably easiest) target for an enquiry. I'd presume that Chelsea would be second, and everyone will be keeping a close eye on Newcastle.

It may well be that our financial wizards aren't quite as clever as those of other clubs, or that the amounts involved in other cases aren't worth pursuing.

We are all desperate for our owners to be found to be honest, honourable business folk. Just like Pep Guardiola, we genuinely want to believe that to be true.

Time will tell, but if the City Group are found to be 'bent', I for one, would never forgive them, and I would expect any supporter of any club in a similar position to feel exactly the same.

The whole issue here is not really about so-called rules. At this point no one is saying City have done anything illegal. But have they broken the PL's own internal rules? Let's wait and see.
But the main issue here is why has there been selective action taken by the PL against City. For example how many players in the PL have had image right deals? Probably scores, perhaps hundreds. Most clubs do it as way of helping players reduce their tax payments. It's not very nice but tax avoidance is legal. We have heard about the huge offshore image right firms used by Ronaldo and Pogba for instance. It all looks a bit dodgy. So how many investigations have been made into other clubs' image rights deals by the PL? The answer is zero. That tells you the rules are not rules at all.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

This season we have already encountered dippers and Chelsea fans throwing coins, piss and other object at out fans.

The additional hatred being whipped up by the media will only fuel more violence from opposition supporters.

Pisses me off that so called "journalists" can publicly write BS behind the safety of a keyboard without facing any form of accountability.

It will be pure poison with the Villa fans on Sunday for sure.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Mansour has been to Manchester once.

He loves his country, money, and racehorses.

Khaldoon is a man doing his job as the face of the City Group. A group designed to maximise investment around the world.

They're not 'in love' with us. They're profiteers.

Well at least they aren't "sportswashers." I think it's great that Sheikh Mansour has made big profits out of his investments and even better that he has put something back into our local community.

 

[Centurions]

The whole issue here is not really about so-called rules. At this point no one is saying City have done anything illegal. But have they broken the PL's own internal rules? Let's wait and see.
But the main issue here is why has there been selective action taken by the PL against City. For example how many players in the PL have had image right deals? Probably scores, perhaps hundreds. Most clubs do it as way of helping players reduce their tax payments. It's not very nice but tax avoidance is legal. We have heard about the huge offshore image right firms used by Ronaldo and Pogba for instance. It all looks a bit dodgy. So how many investigations have been made into other clubs' image rights deals by the PL? The answer is zero. That tells you the rules are not rules at all.

Weren't Chelsea done for that?

 

[city2]

It will be pure poison with the Villa fans on Sunday for sure.

These accusations will fire up the fans of every ground we visit, and the consequences are fans are gonna get hurt because the fans will be getting fired up. But it will have nothing to do with the media and there agenda.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Weren't Chelsea done for that?

Can't remember to be honest but I don't think they were hit with 115 charges going back 14 years!

 

[Centurions]

Can't remember to be honest but I don't think they were hit with 115 charges going back 14 years!

It looks like it was HMRC actually, and not the PL or FA.

 

[HelloCity]

Can't remember to be honest but I don't think they were hit with 115 charges going back 14 years!

They’ll never sing that.

 

[Dodge]

The degree to which City's alleged corruption is greater than the protectionist corruption of FFP is quite another matter. Those loyal to the European Super League cabal won't agree, but City are accused of breaking rules that shouldn't exist in their present form. What began as an assault on unscrupulous owners and debt was twisted into a means of thwarting new money coming into the game, whilst protecting an elite.

If we are giving City's titles to their rivals, there's not a lengthy list of benefactors; it's Manchester United, then Liverpool, then Manchester United, then Liverpool, then United, then Liverpool. The red clubs, who love the English game so much they tried to destroy it not so long ago, would again be close to untouchable: just as they like it, just as they have engineered it.

Martin Samuel.

Back of the fucking net.

 

[ali benarbia's studs]

Samuel s you legend..... Hallelujah !!!!

 

[Semper aggressus]

That's because you're the one who has been brainwashed by ridiculous 'agendas' and conspiracy theories.

There's a fine line between creative accounting and fraud. If you think multi billion value businesses like City don't tiptoe around that line, you're naive.

Every club / big business will chance crossing that line in the hope they won't get caught. It's risk that maximises profit.

Maybe, but it’s funny how chelsea weren’t threatened like this when war criminal Putin’s dodgy gangster mate was pumping money in. No investigation, just write of over a billion of his debt and let a new owner spend another half billion.

Or when owners bought a club then promptly loaded about £600 million debt onto it, most of which is still on the club yet it can spend with impunity every season. I thought the whole point of ffp was to stop debt like happened to Leeds and Portsmouth? Rag debt dwarfs those debts yet they can keep buying £90m players. Why?

And City, apparently now tops the club rich list, and has zero debt, but the FA and UEFA pursue us looking for minutiae in years old accounts. Why?

And why hasn’t the club asked these very questions publicly, calling out chaps and rags? Why do we sit so meekly and let these cunts keep attacking us?

 

[Revolver]

The degree to which City's alleged corruption is greater than the protectionist corruption of FFP is quite another matter. Those loyal to the European Super League cabal won't agree, but City are accused of breaking rules that shouldn't exist in their present form. What began as an assault on unscrupulous owners and debt was twisted into a means of thwarting new money coming into the game, whilst protecting an elite.

If we are giving City's titles to their rivals, there's not a lengthy list of benefactors; it's Manchester United, then Liverpool, then Manchester United, then Liverpool, then United, then Liverpool. The red clubs, who love the English game so much they tried to destroy it not so long ago, would again be close to untouchable: just as they like it, just as they have engineered it.

Martin Samuels.

Back of the fucking net.

The kind of article the City writer for the Athletic you would like to think would write.

After all the Athletic want our money.

But of course even if Lee was inclined to write on these lines (doubtful) his red loving pay masters would not allow it.

Martin Samuel. If only other journalists had his independence.

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

We should have taken FFP to the Courts years ago.

 

[stan bowles]

Maybe, but it’s funny how chelsea weren’t threatened lime this when war criminal Putin’s dodgy gangster mate was pumping money in. No investigation, just write of over a billion of his debt and let a new owner spend another half billion.

Or when owners bought a club then promptly loaded about £600 million debt onto it, most of which is still on the club yet it can spend with impunity every season. I thought the whole point of ffp was to stop debt like happened to Leeds and Portsmouth? Rag debt dwarfs those debts yet they can keep buying £90m players. Why?

And City, apparently now tops the club rich list, and has zero debt, but the FA and UEFA pursue us looking for minutiae in years old accounts. Why?

And why hasn’t the club asked these very questions publicly, calling out chaps and rags? Why do we sit so meekly and let these cunts keep attacking us?

It still sticks in my craw that we accepted a paltry £1 million from Liverpool for hacking our scouting database - an agreement which was accepted as non-admission of any wrong doing on their part. What good is a million pounds to a club like ours ? Maybe we thought the PL or FA would investigate and bring charges against them but we should have known better and it was a massive own goal on out part. Look how those bastards have repaid us - they've fucked us over at every turn since.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

The kind of article the City writer for the Athletic you would like to think would write.

After all the Athletic want our money.

But of course even if Lee was inclined to write on these lines (doubtful) his red loving pay masters would not allow it.

Martin Samuel. If only other journalists had his independence and integrity .

 

[trumpton]

Listened to talk shite in the car this afternoon (I know!)

According to the expert moron they had on, if arsenal don't win the league, manager of the season should be ten Bob!

A net spend of 230 million in one season, not mentioned, and it's a remarkable turnaround in fortunes!

 

[Chippy_boy]

Coming from the other direction,when the PL have lost the case,what happens next,can we sue the PL,can we find out who has been pushing this anti-City crap all these years .the list of comebacks against,the media,clubs,will be endless.But as usual the club will be gutless.

It's an interesting thought isn't it. If you were to write in public that you think XYZ person likes shagging sheep, then you could expect to find yourself on the end of a libel writ, and assuming they don't actually shag sheep, some hefty fine in the way of damages to their reputation.

But the PL have openly accused us of cheating, which is clearly VERY damaging to our reputation. You can imagine sponsors dropping us like a hot potato, and future sponsors not going ahead with us. The financial impact could be enormous.

If the PL fail to prove their allegations, are they open to a libel suit from us, and potentially tens or even hundreds of millions in damages? I am no lawyer, but I would certainly hope so.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Lightening the mood somewhat...

 

[mayo31]

I think they would sell if they receive a verdict that is unacceptable. Remember City owners are Royalty and it would be unthinkable for them to be guilty of such serious allegations.
They would also pull the 10billion dollar investment it has in the UK.
In my opinion of course

This could save us

 

[Lavinda Past]

Maybe, but it’s funny how chelsea weren’t threatened lime this when war criminal Putin’s dodgy gangster mate was pumping money in. No investigation, just write of over a billion of his debt and let a new owner spend another half billion.

Or when owners bought a club then promptly loaded about £600 million debt onto it, most of which is still on the club yet it can spend with impunity every season. I thought the whole point of ffp was to stop debt like happened to Leeds and Portsmouth? Rag debt dwarfs those debts yet they can keep buying £90m players. Why?

And City, apparently now tops the club rich list, and has zero debt, but the FA and UEFA pursue us looking for minutiae in years old accounts. Why?

And why hasn’t the club asked these very questions publicly, calling out chaps and rags? Why do we sit so meekly and let these cunts keep attacking us?

I've no time for 'whataboutery'. The PL have chosen to look closely at City's financial affairs, no doubt because someone has dropped a load of "evidence" relating to City in their laps.

The simple fact that City have raced to the top of the rich list and now have zero debt within 15 years after being comparatively 'potless', is enough to raise most eyebrows. Our financial growth over such a short period virtually screams out "look at me" to the financial world

We may one day find that the PL are carrying out or have lined up enquiries into other clubs. I won't hold my breath on that, but it is possible they are collecting evidence as we speak.

You rightly raise the question of why City don't seem to be doing anything about what could be seen as attacks from other clubs through the media. I can only assume that the club doesn't buy into the fans' conspiracy theory, doesn't feel threatened by media speculation, and as such doesn't see any reason for legal action.

I must admit to being at a loss to understand why City entertain certain media representatives at matches or press conferences, but they do.

I'd like to think that City are fully prepared for this battle with the PL, but I can't help but have nagging doubts about that. If we are, and we ultimately win our case, I'd love to see the club take down the whole PL.