UEFA FFP investigation - CAS decision to be announced Monday, 13th July 9.30am BST

[Gazza]

"Nice to see we’ve got some allies now in the Geordies"

Ironically isn't that why the Nazis were finally defeated - having to fight on two fronts at the same time.

 

[willipp]

Sam lee just said he can see it being a 1year reduced ban of the limited infirmation he has tbf i dont think hes got a scooby!

Nothing like a bit of humble pie to eat whilst sitting on the fence Sam.

 

[HelloCity]

Nothing like a bit of humble pie to eat whilst sitting on the fence Sam.

He could barely hide his disappointment when we didn’t get that FIFA transfer ban. Will hopefully be the same again.

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

Nothing like a bit of humble pie to eat whilst sitting on the fence Sam.

He got it wrong last time didn’t he? Did he not say fine and suspended ban?

 

[willipp]

He got it wrong last time didn’t he? Did he not say fine and suspended ban?

I think so yes, couldnt of got it more wrong last time so clearly edging his bets. What is clear is he doesn't know, so sometimes its best to just say nothing.

 

[slbsn]

There was an article in one of the broadsheets (I forget which one) after the ban was announced in February, where they interviewed three barristers, who looked at previous CAS decisions and seemed to agree that based on previous form the most likely outcome was that CAS would reduce the ban to one year. At the end of the day arbitration is about finding middle ground when two parties disagree about something. However, I think this will be more binary, either City get off, or they'll be done!

Anyone got a link to this article - sounds interesting.

Arbitration is not about finding middle ground - mediation much more about that.

FWIW my view remains that if CAS accept the allegations are "proven", 2 years is not unreasonable or disproportionate. To get to that point, CAS would have to accept an element of deception and concealment by City, that this is a second offence having been given a second chance (afforded by the 2014 settlement) and that the scale of the breaches were very significant and over an extended period. In that set of circumstances, its hard to see why they would interfere with the punishment.

So the only way, in my mind, that CAS gets to a 1 year ban is saying that only some of the breaches are time barred but that 2015/2016 offences are still "triable". The problem in that is that it would still be a second offence so it is still serious and could well justify 2 years. It would also mean, in effect, that they accept City concealed and misled UEFA in 2015/2016 and the ending of the settlement regime in 2017 was on false grounds. These are all serious.

Finally, let's say CAS sides with City on the substantive or rules based arguments leaving only the allegation of non-cooperation. Firstly that is a subjective matter and if City did not cooperate it would have been on the edges. On a standalone basis, I'm not convinced that warrants a ban at all - possibly a small nominal fine.

In short, I just don't see many ways in which CAS can fudge it to a 1 year ban, far more likely an all or nothing. I think Sam Lee was clear he doesn't know and was largely guessing although lots of people have jumped on the 1 year bandwagon.

One final thought, a settled 1 year ban on the basis that City don't accept the wrongdoing is not the same as a 1 year ban after CAS find that City breached. The latter still leaves the club open to a few issues eg PL. If they can see 1 year, they should find a way to settle if need be by threatening all sorts of further legal action (even if only tactically).

 

[decmancity]

Our actions throughout this whole thing haven't felt like we are going to sit down and take a deal, UEFA by all accounts have already tried to do this with us even up till the CL games this season. We have stuck to our guns and took it all the way to CAS. I would be pretty shocked and disappointed I guess if we end up with a 1yr.

 

[slbsn]

Our actions throughout this whole thing haven't felt like we are going to sit down and take a deal, UEFA by all accounts have already tried to do this with us even up till the CL games this season. We have stuck to our guns and took it all the way to CAS. I would be pretty shocked and disappointed I guess if we end up with a 1yr.

Situations evolve, you see more of the other side's case, the other side's documents and evidence, advice can change etc. You have to react to the situation. It would disastrous to set a course and be unwavering if the situation changed and I am certain we would not have done that.

 

[theres only one carlito]

Situations evolve, you see more of the other side's case, the other side's documents and evidence, advice can change etc. You have to react to the situation. It would disastrous to set a course and be unwavering if the situation changed and I am certain we would not have done that.

By all accounts UEFA didn’t even look at our evidence so I’m hoping they got a shock when/if they saw any at CAS.

 

[nmc]

Sam lee just said he can see it being a 1year reduced ban of the limited infirmation he has tbf i dont think hes got a scooby!

Well that clown has covered all the options over the last 12 months - from no ban, no punishment, a fine, a 2 year ban, our owners being exiled to ‘Devils Island’ and now a 1 year ban. I bet he’s still wrong.