City and Financial Doping | Charged by PL with numerous FFP breaches | Hearing begins 16th September 2024

The Premier League charging Man City is basically the other 19 clubs isnt it? There are a lot of powerful owners in those clubs and if they somehow let City get away with cheating then I dont know what that says apart from City has made the Premier league its bitch and they can get away with almost anything.
 
Pep is obviously in denial. No matter what he’s a fantastic coach and has done a great job in managing a big squad and getting them playing sensational football. He’s obviously been lied to about the project he became involved with.

It is strange given he probably had never even heard of City in his playing days, so how he could possibly think the shit loads of money they were spunking to get the players he wanted was anything other than dirty oil money, I don’t know.
He's not in denial. He is complicit in the obstruction, obviously.
 
If they aren't docked points next season and/or have titles revoked, the PL is a joke and you can expect further financial doping for all capable owners on an immense scale.
I think it will take a few years for this to go through. City are obstructing and trying delaying tactics to help their (weak) defense.
 
I believe people need to be realistic City's punishment would be nothing more than slap on the wrists , anyone who thinks Pl would strip City of their titles can't be serious .

Right now Likes of City are atleast Pretending to abide by FFP because they are dining at the top table and over a period of time would legitimise themselves with actual revenues and sponsorship money which has already started due to their onfield success .

But take away that incentive by stripping them of their titles , they would simply drop any pretense and actually go after the legality of FFP restrictions and due to their resources and FFP being on the shaky ground legally , might actually get FFP ended for good

Which it should in all honesty it's a farce created to keep the established order in place masquerading as tool to promote sustainability .
City shouldn't have signed up to the rules if they weren't going to follow them. The time for trying to end the rules was before they agreed to them.

I mean it's pretty basic stuff that shouldn't be hard for you to get your head around.
 
Gallagher’s a complete knobhead when it comes to footy and particularly City.

A talented artist, but he’s been surrounded by yes men for 30 years and treated like ‘one of the boys’ by City, so he thinks he’s fecking up there with ex players when it comes to footy knowledge… and he really isn’t.

His bitterness and rabid ABU take is very, very strong.
His association with City only became a thing in 08
 
This is going to get Liverpool into the champions League isn't it?
 
The truth is most “neutrals” adore City, so many allegations but not a peep from the so called pundits who spend day and night praising City. You just know if it was Utd or even Liverpool doing it people would lose their mind. But it is City so no one gives a feck.

I would be genuinely be shocked if anything came out of this other than a slap on the wrist.

None of the pundits or other media will question them because their bosses know how aggressive City are with their lawyers. Their tactic is not to provide a defence as they seemingly don't have one, but to pursue anybody who accuses them for anything and everything. Until the case is over it's too risky to accuse them of anything, but if they are found guilty I think we will see the floodgates open in the media.

My money is on them being found guilty and getting some kind of delayed transfer ban and a hefty fine. Make the league look strong but open the door for more dodgy money to flow into the league's bank accounts (but please be more careful not to get caught next time Mr. Sheikh Al-Oil Field)
 
They are a team very much on steroids and in a grim way it is very interesting to watch just how good a football team you can make with zero limitations, pretty much a real life Football Manager experiment.

The PL is hugely corrupt (as is all of football). It's a dark and shady industry, nefarious and full of wronguns and con men. This was bound to happen. The game has a huge issue, due to the money at stake.

Sounds odd but take Allardyce, finally got his dream job and is still looking to take some back handers from a random person. He's a millionaire, earning huge sums of money yet is doing dodgy deals that ruin his reputation and standing in the game. But now he's managing again, so perhaps they all know it doesn't matter, you'll always get another job, you can always make some more dosh.

Same thing with City, they know they will never be punished because the league's image as the best in the world is at stake.

If we have the best league but all those title races contained a cheating club then it was all, basically, scripted reality TV. They don't want the integrity and the competitive nature of the league called into question, they have TV rights to sell.
 
If we have the best league but all those title races contained a cheating club then it was all, basically, scripted reality TV. They don't want the integrity and the competitive nature of the league called into question, they have TV rights to sell.
This is a worry of sorts to me. Sacrificing the integrity of the competition in order to maintain the appearance of integrity. Or its so hilariously corrupt that theres no point in addressing any individual problems and all thats left to do is deny and deflect.
 
I still think they'll be relegated... Financial doping just shouldn't be a thing. It doesn't happen is US sports in the same way because they realise long term it damages the product a lot.

Football needs to sort it self out. It shouldn't be mainly an economic competition, need sort it at UEFA level as well as notionally. Need a team level salary cap, easy to enforce and will level the playing field financially to a large degree. Sort the structure out so all clubs accept it.
US sports just like everything else across the pond are all about $$$ with the closed shop leagues and the insane number of commercials. Just not the best example to use.

Otherwise I agree.
 
I'm conflicted on this.

On one hand, I have almost zero faith that they'll get any meaningful punishment.

But on the other, them not being punished heavily for having broken the rules repeatedly for years would surely damage the PL brand to a degree that the higher ups can't accept.

It's why Lance Armstrong got away with it for so long. He dominated cycling for so long that he became too big to take down without irreparably damaging the sport.

It happened eventually, but football authorities won't have the balls to deal with this.
 
US sports just like everything else across the pond are all about $$$ with the closed shop leagues and the insane number of commercials. Just not the best example to use.

Otherwise I agree.

True and to make $$$ long term you need fair sporting competition.

Football clubs bar Utd are just cash burning machines. That'll always be the case with current structure.

Football financial crash is coming.
 
115 charges won't be beaten off.
The only questions are how long this will drag out for, and what punishment.

If it's multiple years, then City can rack up another 5 ot 6 trophies, which will make an even sillier mockery of the "6month transfer ban", "£10k fine" and "promise us not to be naughty again" type punishments.

Had to laugh at Pep calling for a quick decision yesterday...... after City's lawyers doing everything they can to frustrate and obstruct the process!
 
Coming at this from the perspective of someone who is more a general fan of English football than of any one particular team, this thread is actually extraordinarily pathetic.

Manchester City have put together an incredible squad at a lower cost in transfer fees than Chelsea's and on a lower overall wage bill than both Manchester United and Chelsea (and no, Manchester City's transfer fees/wages for this season are not part of the charges brought against them by the Premier League).

In any case, those FFP rules that Manchester City are accused of breaking are despicable in their nature. I will never understand why it should be fair that teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid be legally protected to continuously outspend all their rivals simply through having created more revenue historically, leading to a perpetual cycle of anti-competitive protectionism where the fresh investment required for new competition is throttled.

I also notice a distinct lack of appreciation for what Manchester City have given to English football. Since 2009, Manchester City have brought a large volume of star players to the Premier League, contributed some of the league's most defining moments, contributed to England's coefficient in Europe and ultimately been a major reason behind the dramatic increase in television revenues which have benefitted the entire league and wider football pyramid.

I understand that there is also this "sportswashing" angle, but as with the above aspects, I also do not understand it at all - what exactly is the practical point that those who use this argument are trying to make?
Everybody cares about human rights abuses across the world and specifically in this instance, the related issues in the Middle East.
However, if Abu Dhabi hadn't purchased Manchester City, would all the political prisoners being held in the UAE now be free? If England had given the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries the cold shoulder in the past, would their subsequent pivot towards China and Russia have improved the human rights situations there?
Simply holding the position that you don't want such states to be involved in English football, with zero additional thought given to the wider context within which this viewpoint sits, is a completely closed-minded and morally indefensible position to hold. The way these situations improve is through dialogue and communication, through giving Qatar the World Cup then using this to push through the abolition of the kafala system.
It does not improve with stonewalling through the adoption of an us vs them attitude.
A load of nonsense.
 
The players wouldn't be, wouldn't have even considered City as an option, if they hadn't cheated their way there.

Pep hadn't even heard of City 10 years ago.
Remember Robinho thought he was joining United. Believe me very few outside the UK and Ireland knew there is a club called Manchester City until their financial doping driven success. For most, Manchester = Manchester United.
 
US sports just like everything else across the pond are all about $$$ with the closed shop leagues and the insane number of commercials. Just not the best example to use.

Otherwise I agree.
US sport is highly commerercialised, true, but their major leagues are much more competitive than the Premier League. The wealthiest teams simply aren’t allowed to buy sustained dominance like Man City have. The people running those leagues know that competitiveness is an important factor in getting the punters in.
 
None of the pundits or other media will question them because their bosses know how aggressive City are with their lawyers. Their tactic is not to provide a defence as they seemingly don't have one, but to pursue anybody who accuses them for anything and everything. Until the case is over it's too risky to accuse them of anything, but if they are found guilty I think we will see the floodgates open in the media.

My money is on them being found guilty and getting some kind of delayed transfer ban and a hefty fine. Make the league look strong but open the door for more dodgy money to flow into the league's bank accounts (but please be more careful not to get caught next time Mr. Sheikh Al-Oil Field)
Coming at this from the perspective of someone who is more a general fan of English football than of any one particular team, this thread is actually extraordinarily pathetic.

Manchester City have put together an incredible squad at a lower cost in transfer fees than Chelsea's and on a lower overall wage bill than both Manchester United and Chelsea (and no, Manchester City's transfer fees/wages for this season are not part of the charges brought against them by the Premier League).

In any case, those FFP rules that Manchester City are accused of breaking are despicable in their nature. I will never understand why it should be fair that teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid be legally protected to continuously outspend all their rivals simply through having created more revenue historically, leading to a perpetual cycle of anti-competitive protectionism where the fresh investment required for new competition is throttled.

I also notice a distinct lack of appreciation for what Manchester City have given to English football. Since 2009, Manchester City have brought a large volume of star players to the Premier League, contributed some of the league's most defining moments, contributed to England's coefficient in Europe and ultimately been a major reason behind the dramatic increase in television revenues which have benefitted the entire league and wider football pyramid.

I understand that there is also this "sportswashing" angle, but as with the above aspects, I also do not understand it at all - what exactly is the practical point that those who use this argument are trying to make?
Everybody cares about human rights abuses across the world and specifically in this instance, the related issues in the Middle East.
However, if Abu Dhabi hadn't purchased Manchester City, would all the political prisoners being held in the UAE now be free? If England had given the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries the cold shoulder in the past, would their subsequent pivot towards China and Russia have improved the human rights situations there?
Simply holding the position that you don't want such states to be involved in English football, with zero additional thought given to the wider context within which this viewpoint sits, is a completely closed-minded and morally indefensible position to hold. The way these situations improve is through dialogue and communication, through giving Qatar the World Cup then using this to push through the abolition of the kafala system.
It does not improve with stonewalling through the adoption of an us vs them attitude.

You lost me at "Manchester City have put together an incredible squad at a lower cost"
 
Pep/City: We want this resolved, in 24 hours, today is better, get the lawyers together and let's get it resolved

Also Pep/City: We refuse to co-operate with any investigation.

Can't stand these pricks.
 
US sport is highly commerercialised, true, but their major leagues are much more competitive than the Premier League. The wealthiest teams simply aren’t allowed to buy sustained dominance like Man City have. The people running those leagues know that competitiveness is an important factor in getting the punters in.
US sports leagues are closed shop and that where they completely lose their appeal.

I have no problem if a wealthy team has sustained dominance as long as it is done fairly. If you are successful, you should be rewarded and if you fail, relegation is fair and someone else gets a chance. If you are able to build on your success and have sustained dominance, there is nothing wrong with that.

The problem comes in when a state or an extremely wealthy individual buys a club and creates a very uneven playing field. FFP was created to prevent this but unfortunately City have not played by the rules.
 
I find it hard to believe that any Man City fan honestly believe's they are 100% innocent at this point, the fact they are once again going to court to try to wrap all the charges in red tape and havent produced any of the evidence of their innocence they claimed to have in their embarrasing club statement says it all.

I dont really care about anything Pep says about it as he is just the face of the outfit and will always claim to know a lot less than he probably does.
 
I'm conflicted on this.

On one hand, I have almost zero faith that they'll get any meaningful punishment.

But on the other, them not being punished heavily for having broken the rules repeatedly for years would surely damage the PL brand to a degree that the higher ups can't accept.
Then you are not conflicted. You want them to be punished but are sceptical it will happen to the fullest and fairest degree.
 
US sports leagues are closed shop and that where they completely lose their appeal.

I have no problem if a wealthy team has sustained dominance as long as it is done fairly. If you are successful, you should be rewarded and if you fail, relegation is fair and someone else gets a chance. If you are able to build on your success and have sustained dominance, there is nothing wrong with that.

The problem comes in when a state or an extremely wealthy individual buys a club and creates a very uneven playing field. FFP was created to prevent this but unfortunately City have not played by the rules.
Disliking US sport because it is a ‘closed shop’ without regular promotion or relegation is just your personal preference, and irrelevant to the issue of teams being able to dominate leagues purely due to financial clout.

It’s an objective, measurable fact that US major leagues are *much* more competitive than the Premier League is at the moment.
 
I find it hard to believe that any Man City fan honestly believe's they are 100% innocent at this point, the fact they are once again going to court to try to wrap all the charges in red tape and havent produced any of the evidence of their innocence they claimed to have in their embarrasing club statement says it all.

I dont really care about anything Pep says about it as he is just the face of the outfit and will always claim to know a lot less than he probably does.

I spoke to a lad at the weekend who was exactly this.

Was 100% adamant that they had done nothing wrong and would be found innocent like that had been previously.

Couldn’t have been a more clear case of burying one’s head in the sand. It was mental
 
Disliking US sport because it is a ‘closed shop’ without regular promotion or relegation is just your personal preference, and irrelevant to the issue of teams being able to dominate leagues purely due to financial clout.

It’s an objective, measurable fact that US major leagues are *much* more competitive than the Premier League is at the moment.

Isn't that simply because of the draft system and the salary cap? The former could not exist here and the salary cap would be difficult to implement in a non closed league.
 
I spoke to a lad at the weekend who was exactly this.

Was 100% adamant that they had done nothing wrong and would be found innocent like that had been previously.

Couldn’t have been a more clear case of burying one’s head in the sand. It was mental

Yeah at least @padr81 knows that his team could well be in a lot of trouble,however is unsure they will be found guilty
 
Disliking US sport because it is a ‘closed shop’ without regular promotion or relegation is just your personal preference, and irrelevant to the issue of teams being able to dominate leagues purely due to financial clout.

It’s an objective, measurable fact that US major leagues are *much* more competitive than the Premier League is at the moment.
Let's just do the European super league than. Will be very competitive. Fantastic.
 
I spoke to a lad at the weekend who was exactly this.

Was 100% adamant that they had done nothing wrong and would be found innocent like that had been previously.

Couldn’t have been a more clear case of burying one’s head in the sand. It was mental

They pretend they’re not bothered, like when they used to cry about how they don’t care about winning about the CL.
 
They pretend they’re not bothered, like when they used to cry about how they don’t care about winning about the CL.

When I was growing up, Manchester City fans used to tell me that United were ruining football with money and commercialisation. Then again, look at the state of our Qatar worshippers.
 
When I was growing up, Manchester City fans used to tell me that United were ruining football with money and commercialisation. Then again, look at the state of our Qatar worshippers.

Yep, OT was full of daytrippers and City was the real grassroots club for Mancunians. Many that I knew have flocked back to County now they're doing well, the ones that have stayed act like spoilt babies.