PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

[Manc Born & Bred]

This is an interesting paragraph from the article:

We asked Manchester City whether they had any comment in relation to the fact such correspondence exists and that if they are not state-owned or funded, then why are the UK government concerned about jeopardising relations between the UK and UAE? Manchester City did not comment.

Should the athletic not be asking that question to the UK Government? Think they are skating on very thin ice.

 

[Rammy Blue]

so the narrative is starting to get pushed that if we get found not guilty its because the government stepped in?

And I won’t give two fucks.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

so the narrative is starting to get pushed that if we get found not guilty its because the government stepped in?

Or they can now see that the charges are bollocks and as expected we will get get cleared...but the press need some sort of excuse to fall back on

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

A football club owned by a prince of a country that pumps millions into the uk. Cant think why the government would be interested lol.

Billions, not millions.

 

[Beaker]

Anyone got more detail on the article as it’s behind the athletic paywall.

The Foreign Office in London and the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi have declared they have discussed the charges, it would be very strange if they hadn’t discussed them given the global profile of the Premier League and City’s current standing within it. They have refused to disclose what the conversations were so the Athletic are trying to turn that into a conspiracy, I’m no diplomat but I can’t imagine government departments often disclose confidential correspondence to journalists.

That is literally it, it isn’t even a discussion with the Abu Dhabi government, just the UK embassy over there, but it should get the usual suspects foaming at the mouth and plenty of clicks from United and Liverpool supporters.

As someone stated earlier it looks like they are trying to set the narrative that the UK government must have intervened if we are cleared of the charges.

 

[Ric]

The Premier League are essentially accusing a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family of submitting fraudulent accounts over a prolonged period in the UK, something that is vehemently denied. Of course that is going to be brought up at a diplomatic level.

 

[M16 citeh]

The bigger story here for me at the minute is the involvement of u.a.e foreign capital in the British state - they rely on it. So who does sports washing really benefit... our government it seems as no one is really talking about how our country is now propped up by foreign capital

 

[wolviedinho]

Wouldn’t surprise me if we later found out that city were being used by the premier league to stop government regulation. Pawn in a much bigger game.

 

[citizen_maine]

Wouldn’t surprise me if we later found out that city were being used by the premier league to stop government regulation. Pawn in a much bigger game.

How?

 

[oakiecokie]

Wouldn’t surprise me if we later found out that city were being used by the premier league to stop government regulation. Pawn in a much bigger game.

I thought City were the only PL Club to want an independent regulator ?

 

[Dinas]

The bigger story here for me at the minute is the involvement of u.a.e foreign capital in the British state - they rely on it. So who does sports washing really benefit... our government it seems as no one is really talking about how our country is now propped up by foreign capital

It has been for a long time - started with all the Japanese inward investment in the 1980s and this is why the direct investment from Abu Dhabi is so important as you say. It has long been a key ingredient of UK economic policy. I can't believe the government would want to prejudice this and there are many other economies which are currently more vibrant than that of the UK to attract such investment.

 

[TheThirdDeano]

American publications desperately trying to direct attention.

Somethings afoot. Something that’ll make the Americans look bad or is currently making them look bad. United being utter utter turgidly shit? Maybe, but maybe something bigger is bubbling.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Or they can now see that the charges are bollocks and as expected we will get get cleared...but the press need some sort of excuse to fall back on

Exactly my take on it.

I'll accept a bit more bullshit in the press after all, we lost at CAS according to them.

Imagine what we'd have done if we'd 'won' ;)

 

[The Shallyman]

Two very important things to point out here

Manchester City are not state owned. This is the official stance of the club, and a very important definition when you consider the charges labelled against the club and scrutiny of sponsorship income.

The Premier League are not controlled by the British Government. And the charges that were announced by the PL, only came to light 24 hours before the Government were to announce a white paper which detailed certain reforms of the Premier League rules and regulations.

 

[foggy1974]

Wouldn’t surprise me if we later found out that city were being used by the premier league to stop government regulation. Pawn in a much bigger game.

I thought the whole idea of the charges was to delay the white paper on an independent regulator, proving that the EPL can regulate itself.

If the discussions are more than an official asking SM about the charges & him laughing about how flimsy they are, doesn't this make the case for the government to get involved a whole lot stronger.

The Athletic are probably appeasing their subscribers

 

[ayrshire_blue]

Government officials speaking to the rulers of another country about an organisation effectively labelling them cheats with possible criminal ramifications?

Well fuck me sideways, next you'll be telling me that they talk about money and stuff as well. Groundbreaking stuff as usual from the athletic.

 

[northendenton]

Is the media aware of the 'bedding' link between us and Paqueta? 'Duvet' know about it?! It’s been bad enough putting up with its 'blanket' condemnation of us since 2008 without adding this to the mix!

(apologies for dreadful puns.. just my 'quilty' pleasure..!)

I don't think it mattress.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

If the PL came out and apologised for bringing trumped up charges against City, that they were the actions of jealous opposition clubs, etc we would still be called cheats. It will never go away no matter what, not even innocence.

 

[citizen_maine]

Government officials speaking to the rulers of another country about an organisation effectively labelling them cheats with possible criminal ramifications?

Well fuck me sideways, next you'll be telling me that they talk about money and stuff as well. Groundbreaking stuff as usual from the athletic.

It's UK government officials in Abu Dhabi speaking to UK officials in the UK isn't it?

 

[domalino]

American publications desperately trying to direct attention.

Somethings afoot. Something that’ll make the Americans look bad or is currently making them look bad. United being utter utter turgidly shit? Maybe, but maybe something bigger is bubbling.

You sound like one of those demented Russell brand fans trying to figure out the secret reason why he’s getting his comeuppance now.

If this was being timed to overshadow United’s problems, don’t you think it would have been published…any time in the last 3 weeks when United’s mismanagement of rapists, child sex offenders, domestic abusers and shit results were on the back pages every single day?