PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Very interesting episode of 9320 out on this subject with Stefan for those that subscribe.

 

[Shirley]

Absolutely this. If it wasn't for this thread, I wouldn't be aware of what Harris and the likes are saying during their obsessive Twitter rants. And as his latest posts show, he's doing it for a bite and when he gets it playing the victim off it.

The man clearly isn't well. But we should leave him in the playground of the unwell with his pals, rather than giving him and his "friend" reason to venture over here.

Amazed Harris has got involved in any rant, he usually just blocks anyone who responds to him

 

[Ric]

Whilst I like the cut of your jib mate, the PL don't have to prove we've committed 'fraud on an industrial scale'. Indeed they don't have the authority or competence to do this.
The independent panel they have appointed only has to decide by majority verdict and on the balance of probability that some of our transactions broke FFP rules.
And that is a much lower bar.
Like you I'm still confident that the club will be cleared of these charges.

Given that they have effectively accused us of fraudulent accounting over a prolonged period, then this is indeed what they'd have to prove in order to land all of their charges. Whilst the standard of proof is just the balance of probabilities, as with all civil cases, the serious nature of the charges means that cogent evidence is required. If they were only able to show that some of our transactions broke FFP rules then we'd be looking at a minor points deduction at worse.

 

[Brendan110_0]

Just remember, nothing about this process is impartial. We’re getting fucked in the ass regardless of evidence. This is why we need the independent regulator.

 

[cheekybids]

Well I can well imagine that it started as a fishing expedition to see what they could add to the hack information but what I can't imagine is that they were advised by a top legal team that they had nothing but still went ahead.

Obviously neither Pannick or their KC will be doing it on a no win-no fee basis but again surely neither are that desperate that they need to take on a hopeless case. Both sides think they can win in my view so a guaranteed slam dunk for us is wishful thinking. All a matter of opinion of course and many others will have an entirely different take on it. I just wish it would reach a conclusion in months rather than years but I highly doubt it.

I’ve just settled on a personal case, my solicitor advised me they’ll offer a low settlement quickly & accept. He then said the client was telling their solicitor not to settle, by the 3rd conciliation meeting I was told their Solicitor said to his client you need to settle which they ignored. 14 months later I accepted x3 more than my solicitor initially advised as it was clear they had no defence & its cost them x6 with their costs.

I accepted as I did everything my solicitor told me despite the opportunity to receive even more in court as it’s a risk.
They refused as it was their ego until the point when they realised they are well & truely fcked.

There’s egos & agendas.

 

[Ric]

Well I can well imagine that it started as a fishing expedition to see what they could add to the hack information but what I can't imagine is that they were advised by a top legal team that they had nothing but still went ahead.

You wouldn't have thought so, but this is pretty much what UEFA did, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. Never underestimate the stupidity of football administrators.

I know you're a bit dismissive of the idea, but I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that there was a degree of coercion from other clubs, plus there is the looming threat of an independent regulator. These factors could easily have muddied the water for the PL, and resulted in them overreaching with their charges.

That's not to play down the seriousness of the case, and there is an awful lot at stakes for both sides. I don't think anyone at this stage can say with any degree of certainty what the outcome will be.

 

[mcfcphil]

Well I can well imagine that it started as a fishing expedition to see what they could add to the hack information but what I can't imagine is that they were advised by a top legal team that they had nothing but still went ahead.

Obviously neither Pannick or their KC will be doing it on a no win-no fee basis but again surely neither are that desperate that they need to take on a hopeless case. Both sides think they can win in my view so a guaranteed slam dunk for us is wishful thinking. All a matter of opinion of course and many others will have an entirely different take on it. I just wish it would reach a conclusion in months rather than years but I highly doubt it.

“Strong and wrong beats weak and right”

 

[Rory Bluelow]

The notion that the over simplistic “if Everton, then City” helps me separate the idiots from those who have looked at each case and seen they are distinctly different.

Anyone who says “if Everton got 10 points for £19M, City must get…..!” is simply unable to understand what is happening in front of their own eyes and should be duly dismissed out of hand.

Yep, it’s a great short cut.

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

Mad to think this is gonna hang over us for another couple of years.

 

[Stoned Rose]

I was reading a short paper on this from some professor in finance at Sheffield University. He refrained of course from trying to predict any outcome, but he did say that regardless of the outcome FFP has been shown to be inadequate and the FA / UEFA incapable of regulating member clubs against its own directives. This could be a huge catalyst for change in the football world.

Whichever way the verdict falls, there will be much fallout. I foresee the end of FFP in the current form and an independence regulator appointed, with a very real prospect of a huge rebellion against the status quo resulting in breakaway leagues and more. It could be the end of the premier league's dominance even, with pressures to form European or World leagues only getting stronger.

The FA now have a situation where they and other member clubs have accused their most successful club of cheating, even fraudulent behaviour, and those making the accusations really need to know the seriousness of that, and the implications for them in terms of their position and credibility. If we win, we'll want the record setting straight and there will be many noses out of of joint, noses we know full well don't like to accept the reality of the situation. If we lose, that's probably easier for the FA but,I feel, much harder to prove and quite unlikely. Certainly 115 charges, or whatever it actually is, we will not be found guilty on all of them. The bar of required evidence is far too high for the FA to meet, based on what I have seen of their arguments, leaks and conduct.

All this for some very suspect charges, probably to satisfy the old boys club. I do still think they'll try to stick us with non cooperation again, but I can't foresee how the FA have, or even think they have, nearly sufficient evidence to prove their allegations. If that happens, expect a United, Arsenal and Liverpool led revolt, as the hand that feeds is unceremoniously chomped at by those same ungrateful, spolied brats.

It’s got fuck all to do with the FA.