Manchester City Found Guilty Of FFP Breaches

[100watts]

The Times is reporting that City's defence as presented to UEFA concerning the source of funds is, er, inconsistent with what they presented to this investigation.

Ergo they did not co -operate with the original investigation of which a good proportion of the charges relate and seems the same applies to the trial. They must have good lawyers to argue that.

 

[SH]

Nothing really new in this FT 'exclusive', but nice to know HMRC has had City under the microscope for a while:

https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/4d9cdfa1-fb3b-45ec-b4f8-7b40230b4302

 

[hobbsy]

Nothing really new in this FT 'exclusive', but nice to know HMRC has had City under the microscope for a while:

https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/4d9cdfa1-fb3b-45ec-b4f8-7b40230b4302

View attachment 69579

They've actually got every Premier League club under the microscope

 

[Judio1999]

The Times is reporting that City's defence as presented to UEFA concerning the source of funds is, er, inconsistent with what they presented to this investigation.

This

However, as set out principally in that Appendix 6 we concluded
a) That evidence given by a number of important factual witnesses called to give evidence
on behalf of the Club was false in a number of key respects, and
b) That certain of those factual witnesses had given evidence at the hearing that they knew
to be untrue and so had been dishonest.

 

[100watts]

I am sorry for the fans in putting this forward but if the Premier League have any principles City need dismantling. The amount that they were found to have undeclared is c£800m. Their squad is worth about that. You cannot really fine them £800m and if you did they could still have their squad. A points deduction just dumps the problem on the EFL and does not deal with the advantage that they obtained.

The principled decision would be to expel City and let them find their own way back. Results intra season would need expunging and the Premier League suffer some financial loss unless recovered by quite a hefty fine but the Premier League should do the right thing.

 

[WarrenBee]

Premier League should do the right thing.

The right thing in their eyes is probably to deduct Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton 30 points as a message to stop any other upstarts who think they can gatecrash the cosy PL club!

 

[Banana]

View: https://x.com/PolymarketSport/status/2107839014078128542?s=20

 

[Sianist]

How screwed would they have to believe themselves to be in, to pull out this old chestnut and act as if that it's a threat against PL, and not a promise?

 

[Banana]

How screwed would they have to believe themselves to be in, to pull out this old chestnut and act as if that it's a threat against PL, and not a promise?

They'd have to relocate out of the UK.

It's just more threats and scare tactics.

 

[Sianist]

They'd have to relocate out of the UK.

It's just more threats and scare tactics.

Again ... I see it not as a threat but a promise that if PL and FA keep pushing, they'll actually F*ck off and away with their dirty money

 

[Gee Bee]

They'd have to relocate out of the UK.

It's just more threats and scare tactics.

Rodney Marsh sources tend to be in a Vodka bottle

 

[Banana]

Again ... I see it not as a threat but a promise that if PL and FA keep pushing, they'll actually F*ck off and away with their dirty money

No, it's a threat. One that they won't carry out.

 

[Jezybee]

No, it's a threat. One that they won't carry out.

Although, it’s difficult to work with someone who threatens to jump out the window. If you call their bluff, you run the risk of there being no one left to negotiate with, but are left with the repercussions of how it ever got to that point, Highly unlikely but not impossible.

Premier League and other Clubs must remain resolute in seeing the process through. However, not sure what the risk appetite is at the Premier League for potentially being blamed, as Man City will try to spin it, for a Super League 2.0 breakaway. Also fear some PL Clubs could be tempted; need fans to keep owners in check.

 

[LostBee]

How screwed would they have to believe themselves to be in, to pull out this old chestnut and act as if that it's a threat against PL, and not a promise?

What are they going to do, start a three team league and play each other 12 times a season?

Imagine getting found guilty of 114 charges and thinking you can bluff your way out

 

[Banana]

What are they going to do, start a three team league and play each other 12 times a season?

Imagine getting found guilty of 114 charges and thinking you can bluff your way out

Exactly. They would have to move to Spain too. Football regulator won't allow them to play those games in England.

 

[bostonhanwell]

£1.5 billion fine to the club not the owners and relegate to non league is about right.

 

[Banana]

Although, it’s difficult to work with someone who threatens to jump out the window. If you call their bluff, you run the risk of there being no one left to negotiate with, but are left with the repercussions of how it ever got to that point, Highly unlikely but not impossible.

One doesn't have to call their bluff. You just have to ignore the hysteronics of a petulant child that has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and threatens to run away from home.

 

[Untouchable]

No, it's a threat. One that they won't carry out.

Exactly.

The comprehensive ending of the Super League means no other English clubs will follow them. And once Man City fans realise they’ll have to go to Abu Dhabi to watch a match, it’ll get messy.

 

[jbee]

How screwed would they have to believe themselves to be in, to pull out this old chestnut and act as if that it's a threat against PL, and not a promise?

Can't imagine a time when this would be a less attractive prospect to the biggest English clubs. They are more likely to be salivating over which of City's players they can pick off than bailing them out by agreeing to join them in a "Super League". They are not daft, they know that is a non-starter in the near future.

 

[Jezybee]

One doesn't have to call their bluff. You just have to ignore the hysteronics of a petulant child that has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and threatens to run away from home.

Indeed, what should happen. Concern is whether Premier League has the stomach and if Clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle (would they even be wanted in a Super League?) would react warmly to Man City’s overtures. All hypothetical so will leave it there.

 

[Hippobee]

The PL just need to expel them now. Enough of their empty threats. Once they have been kicked out, the PL and EFL owe them nothing. Other PL clubs will be happy with that, as a cheating club has been removed and there is more chance of an honest club succeeding.

And if they did fancy joining a super League?

Do it, do it, do it, do it.

I'd like to see them be competitive with a £800m fine, all their players leaving and no fans to watch them play abroad.

They will soon find out how few friends they have.

The genuine fans are the ones I have sympathy with.

 

[Banana]

Super League also means no European Tournaments for the petulant child.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I wonder if Newcastle will join them and finally be allowed to spend as much as they like. The Geordie dream, second to Man City every year.

 

[JCMcBee]

I'm not sure about the 'cookie jar' analogy where the owners of MCFC are concerned.... because I'm not sure cookie jars exist in the Abu Dhabi Royal Court...they don't need them.... kids there can have what they want.... anything they want... unfortunately...as in this case.... they carry that mindset into adulthood...and then really don't know what to do when someone says no....greed simply comes naturally to some.

 

[horshambees]

Yes, much simpler for city to be relegated than expelled.

Relegated for one year/season ?
Massive risk worth taking just like Juventus.
They go for a season and come back if they keep the squad together.
Something like that may well happen.

 

[FlyBee]

Exactly. It won't happen.

Sadly I think you are correct.

 

[Gee Bee]

Maybe they can just join the Saudi Pro league ?

 

[NickThe(Half)Greek]

Whatever combination of punishments the authorities arrive at (I believe it should include a mix of voiding the titles they won over this period, relegation, transfer ban, massive fine, owners expelled), it MUST be significant enough to reflect NINE years of systematic cheating. Anything less will mean they’ve been allowed to get away with fraud.

 

[Greybeard]

Relegated for one year/season ?
Massive risk worth taking just like Juventus.
They go for a season and come back if they keep the squad together.
Something like that may well happen.

The official sanctions are only part of the agony for city.

Their reputation has been trashed. Everywhere they go they will be jeered and mocked. Their titles are effectively dust, no one believes in them any more even if they are not officially voided. This humiliation will be a long lasting stain on the club.

Other clubs are likely to seek compensation in the civil courts. The bill, which I expect will be settled out of court, might run into hundreds of millions.

HMRC are already investigating their tax situation and this could be compounded by the police looking at falsified accounts. Their auditors might also be in the firing line.

Make no mistake, this situation is a disaster for City. I think it could well result in the owners cutting and running to avoid further embarrassment and reputational damage. This in turn could lead to a financial crisis given Citys liabilities and contractual commitments. I'm really not sure where this is going to end for them

 

[GuyBee]

The Liverpool City game at the weekend should be tasty - they arguably lost out more than any other club.

I dont normally watch other prem matches, I might make an exception for this one.

 

[Stanley]

I'm really not sure where this is going to end for them

Bankruptcy, administration and a spell in the EFL I should think.

They have the fanbase and stadium etc to rebuild I guess but their days as an elite Champions league club are probably gone for the foreseeable future.

I would expect a fire sale of players starting in January. There will probably be some very busy agents on the job already.

The thing that gets me is how they thought they would get away with all this.

 

[hobbsy]

Bankruptcy, administration and a spell in the EFL I should think.

They have the fanbase and stadium etc to rebuild I guess but their days as an elite Champions league club are probably gone for the foreseeable future.

I would expect a fire sale of players starting in January. There will probably be some very busy agents on the job already.

The thing that gets me is how they thought they would get away with all this.

Could they just sell all their players temporarily to another City Group club?

 

[JCMcBee]

Bankruptcy, administration and a spell in the EFL I should think.

They have the fanbase and stadium etc to rebuild I guess but their days as an elite Champions league club are probably gone for the foreseeable future.

I would expect a fire sale of players starting in January. There will probably be some very busy agents on the job already.

The thing that gets me is how they thought they would get away with all this.

...as an aside.....OCGs are by design involved in criminal and fraudulent activity....their very existence revolves around 'getting away with it'....HM Gov spends millions on trying to stop these groups from operating...as to maintain law and order...the secret and key to success for any OCG...or anyone involved in fraudulent or criminal behaviour for that matter....is simply not getting caught.... but if they do get caught there must be consequences... failing that you have chaos.

 

[Gee Bee]

Could they just sell all their players temporarily to another City Group club?

To New York & Melbourne clubs? They’d be better staying in EFL.
I also suspect that the whole group is under investigation now

 

[stomalomalus]

Exactly.
it’s a complex mix/interdependence of multi national commercial, sporting and diplomatic interests. Once they start pulling a thread it’s very unclear what the impact could be or where it would end. Gone are the days when decisions made in the UK can be made in isolation. It’s times like this that make me sadly accept that this is a totally global commercial business (not just a sporting environment).
We seem unlikely participants at the top table in this world - amazing

I would have agreed with you in the past...but I've increasingly come to the conclusion that this is the exact problem.

If we go along with their rules and allow them to continue to manipulate, they will just continue to do so. We need to take the bullet, and stand up. They need to be shown that if they continue to "fix" the rules to fit themselves, we will walk away. And that goes for everything, not just football.

I say let them start a super league. Every club is banned from the CL, every club is banned from any sanctioned competition, and every player who aligns with them is banned from every competition. Look how quickly that'll work. Look what happened in cricket when someone did the same. It fell apart because the other organizations just refused to deal with them.

That's all. Stand up. Expel City, ban the owners, the lawyers, and any administrator for life from football in the UK, and see what happens.

 

[hanworthbee]

Judging by the saints outcome for their boss id imagine city hope they are on their appeal!

 

[Banana]

Are they still "at it" ? Did they suddenly stop in 2018?

 

[JCMcBee]

I would have agreed with you in the past...but I've increasingly come to the conclusion that this is the exact problem.

If we go along with their rules and allow them to continue to manipulate, they will just continue to do so. We need to take the bullet, and stand up. They need to be shown that if they continue to "fix" the rules to fit themselves, we will walk away. And that goes for everything, not just football.

I say let them start a super league. Every club is banned from the CL, every club is banned from any sanctioned competition, and every player who aligns with them is banned from every competition. Look how quickly that'll work. Look what happened in cricket when someone did the same. It fell apart because the other organizations just refused to deal with them.

That's all. Stand up. Expel City, ban the owners, the lawyers, and any administrator for life from football in the UK, and see what happens.

Agree....the integrity and sanctity of football...as a sport....not in terms of it being an entertainment.... should be paramount at all costs... same goes for cricket....these institutions must be protected from those who seek to destroy it.

 

[JANORAK]

Are they still "at it" ? Did they suddenly stop in 2018?

Course not. Now we can look forward to more sales of players to themselves/group for inflated figures, just to keep all the plates in the air….

 

[filmyfan]

The Liverpool City game at the weekend should be tasty - they arguably lost out more than any other club.

I dont normally watch other prem matches, I might make an exception for this one.

Yep quite looking forward to this one - hopefully Liverpool can bring their "famous" atmosphere.

I think Liverpool finished 2nd 4 times during the years in question

Banana's weekend points "predictor" will be interesting to see what result we want

 

[Hullbee]

Judging by the saints outcome for their boss id imagine city hope they are on their appeal!

They were unable to compete for a 250m promotion golden pot…. That’s pretty harsh penalty

 

[hanworthbee]

They were unable to compete for a 250m promotion golden pot…. That’s pretty harsh penalty

One an efl punishement and one was an fa punishment

 

[horshambees]

Judging by the saints outcome for their boss id imagine city hope they are on their appeal!

The appeal is over the verdict not listening to the whole case again.
Guilty or not guilty will be the appeals panels outcome

 

[JCMcBee]

Yep quite looking forward to this one - hopefully Liverpool can bring their "famous" atmosphere.

I think Liverpool finished 2nd 4 times during the years in question

Banana's weekend points "predictor" will be interesting to see what result we want

... I'm fairly certain the owners of LFC will be cringing when the home support sing....'you cheating bastard's you know what you are'....the MCFC owners know where the bodies are buried.

 

[RT]

Maybe take this with a punch of salt, but from a City fan:

All of city’s away tickets for Sunday have been allocated a number starting with 115 this weekend

 

[TorbayBee]

I understand lots of very nasty threats have been made to City players and fans concerning attending on Sunday. There’s outrage and then there’s just scumbag behaviour.

 

[Judio1999]

'I would throw them out' - Holloway on Manchester City -

Premier League: Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway says he would 'throw out' Manchester City

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway says Manchester City should be relegated to non-league after the club were found guilty of Premier League financial rule breaches.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[GuyBee]

'I would throw them out' - Holloway on Manchester City -

Premier League: Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway says he would 'throw out' Manchester City

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway says Manchester City should be relegated to non-league after the club were found guilty of Premier League financial rule breaches.

www.bbc.co.uk

Having watched some of his recent rants posted here that made it feel like he really had lost, that is Golden Holloway

Eloquent, emotional and sums up just how I feel intellectually and emotionally in 1 minute 7 seconds. Chapeau Ian

 

[Greybeard]

I understand lots of very nasty threats have been made to City players and fans concerning attending on Sunday. There’s outrage and then there’s just scumbag behaviour.

That's not acceptable.

 

[Banana]