I think what is interesting that the PL rules stipulate that they require a statement from a director (or equivalent) of the sponsoring company to say that the deal is at fair market value. In PL terms they want a statement from one plotter that there is no plot!. It may be fair to point out that City and Etihad produced documentary evidence that City performed everything they had been contracted to perform and that Etihad paid what they had agreed to pay. So City don't seem to have a problem. The PL might, though, if it persists with its categorisation of associated parties and deals. The independent regulator may also wish to know why the PL is determined to stop money coming into the game when it is needed quite desperately. But then it might also wish to know why the sustainability of a growing number of clubs is put at risk by points deductions in the name of profitability and sustainability .....