In terms of the most serious charges, there can be only two broad outcomes.or
Hypotheticallly:
If we are found guilty, that would be a tough one for us but, assuming any verdict was substantiated with sufficient, cogent evidence, after an appeal process, we’d have to take it on the chin and deal with any subsequent sanctions. I’m not certain, however, this scenario would raise any long term issues for English football, particularly the premier league. We’d simply be thrown under the bus - I suspect the media would stick the boot in and much of the footballing world would be imbued with fake rage, until it became obvious they weren’t getting any compo and Burnley wasn’t being awarded league titles retrospectively. After taking our medicine, we would eventually regroup and move on and rebuild the Deathstar.
If, on the other hand, we really did produce irrefutable evidence and were exonerated on all of the serious charges, surely this would ignite flames that wouldn’t simply self-extinguish over time? It would surely raise significant questions about how it was ever allowed to get this far and why. I just can’t see a scenario where the premier league would be able to move forwards and accept they completely misjudged English football’s most high profile legal case. There may be subsequent innuendo and sound bites to perpetuate the idea that the threshold could not be met because of City’s obfuscation etc. and that the investigation wasn’t frivolous, but was necessary and in the best interests of the footballing community blah blah, blah … But that surely wouldn’t cut it? The Premier League would be a laughing stock that lacked credibility, authority and were now demonstrably open to influence. We also don’t know what other skulduggery has been unearthed and whether this has further complicated processes.
I suppose I’m clumsily saying that finding us not guilty of the main charges would have enormous repercussions for the premier league and all of the parties that may have applied pressure/influence in the first place.
How the fuck do they manage this scenario in terms of justifying the investment of time, energy and expenditure, especially if it appears there were ‘no weapons of mass destruction’ after all. Could this be a genuine existential threat to the Premier League? Or, are there scenarios whereby damage could be limited, with some cooperation from City, and could this be the reason that it is taking so long, even if the verdict has not been officially shared? The panel will be acutely aware that they are about to push the nuclear button and need to be very sure they have this absolutely watertight.
‘Just clinging to positive reasons for the delay ….
