Even if we are totally exonerated - the " perception of other fans " will be that we are as guilty as hell, and have got away with it again .
We cannot win the public opinion polls of the football world.
I actually don’t believe that is true, I know what you are saying is with United, Liverpool fans etc.
But who cares we all believe Ferguson had control over the refs and Klopp had them all on asthma juice 2 out of every 3 seasons.
Take them and some others away and most football fans is someone has always spent more money then us, so they are more open.
The narrative of this needs to change, at the moment the image is we spent so much more then everyone else and paid for it by owner topped up equity and paying people of the books.
We need to get it out there messages such as if what is being said is true, how much more or less did we spend then United.
If the figure is lower then the majority of people don’t have this club earned over investment chip on their shoulder.
The model of which is best also needs some public consideration, City before takeover and now, United before takeover and now.
This will always be decided on the legal framework and available facts.
The court of public opinion will be decided by PR and we are terrible at it and have been for awhile.