Manchester City Guilty of Financial Breaches Charges Golden Threads

[Bob the Ninja]

Premier League needs to bring in rules with automatic sporting penalties for non-cooperation.

The fact they were allowed to not cooperate for years without sanction has made this the mess it is, also their revenue has stayed around the same levels since (with only a dip during Covid) so you can't tell me that they suddenly stopped cooking the books and started generating actual revenue streams.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

Asked by the BBC's political editor Chris Mason if he was concerned that Manchester City's owners would now sell the club, Burham said on Wednesday: "I would be really concerned to lose them.

"They've been such a huge partner in the building of modern Manchester and obviously the building of Manchester City into the global force that it is."

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester until June, added: "I do actually thank the City Football Group and the wider ownership for the money that they didn't just put into the Etihad [Stadium] and the campus around it but also into the city".

Burnham said: "Everton was in this position a few years ago and you might remember that I fought for Everton in that situation because I still hold the view very firmly that they weren't fairly treated in that process."

Drawing a comparison between that and City's current predicament, he added: "I remember people proclaiming Everton guilty at the time and with hindsight I think more people would say that wasn't fair, the way that was handled.

"So it would be wrong of me to leap to one side given the experience that I'd had before becoming prime minister."

It is "frustrating when people rush to judgement", Burnham said.

He accepted there was "a lot at stake" for City fans, the club and Manchester itself.

But he added it would be wrong for him to intervene.

 

[Boot Cleaner]

Pep has commented but not really said anything.

 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2105269081276350584

 

[Bob the Ninja]

I'm surprised by those comments from Andy Burnham

The narrative has seemed to shift from dinner time onwards. We have had Pep's statement, Burnham trying to intervene, Christian Purslow is playing it down, SSN saying the clubs won't vote against City. All of the mood music now seems to be that it will be a points deduction (enough not to completely relegate them), a record fine and a transfer ban.

 

[Abomb]

This is going to go on and on

Manchester City's principal sponsor, Etihad Airways, has said it is considering taking legal action against the Premier League.

Now, Abu Dhabi state airline Etihad Airways, which has sponsored City since 2009, says it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements".

In a statement, they say the Premier League did not engage with them and they were not given a chance to provide relevant information.

They are now seeking legal advice to protect their interests.

Etihad were not named in Tuesday's published judgment but say it has "created damaging implications" for them.

Meanwhile, several Man City sponsors are standing by the club after the guilty verdict.

Lucozade, Kellogg's and Revolut have all said they are not commenting on the independent commission's findings while the process remains ongoing.

Spoiler: Etihad Airways Statement

A statement said: "Etihad Airways has reviewed the Premier League commission's published opinion relating to the disciplinary proceedings involving Manchester City, together with the Premier League's public communication of its findings.

"Etihad categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements.

"The Premier League's public communication of the commission's findings, following a period of selective leaks and reporting, has further created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the redacted published findings.

"At no time did the Premier League reach out to or engage with Etihad in the process associated with the commission's opinion. Etihad was therefore never given the opportunity by the Premier League to be represented, to provide relevant information, or to ensure the accuracy and fairness of information relied upon in reaching conclusions that may now be interpreted as reflecting adversely on the airline.

"Etihad is deeply concerned by the way this matter has been communicated publicly. The lack of clarity and transparency, together with the selective disclosure of information, has created damaging implications for Etihad despite the airline not being named in the published decision. The Premier League must take responsibility for the consequences of the way in which these findings have been presented.

"Etihad is immensely proud of its longstanding relationship with Manchester City. The Etihad name has been proudly carried by the club and its stadium for many years, as part of a partnership that has connected us with millions of supporters around the world. Our commitment to Manchester City, its supporters and our shared partnership remains strong.

"We stand with the club, its supporters and our wider Etihad community as Manchester City challenges the commission's conclusions through the processes available to it.

"Etihad will seek the relevant legal counsel on the options and recourse available to protect its interests."

The Etihad statement erroneously refers to a Premier League commission. It is an independent commission.

 

[Abomb]

Jurgen Klopp said his "respect" for Pep Guardiola was "too great" to comment on Manchester City's guilty verdict. "To be honest, I'm not particularly interested in it," the former Liverpool manager said.

 

[Abomb]

Senior football figures have said that Manchester City's punishment for breaching Premier League rules should be decided before the end of this season.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one club official said: "It benefits everyone for this to be resolved as quickly as possible."

When asked if they believed it would be, they said: "Instinctively yes, but it has to be done right."

"We can all see what the risks are if it's not. But those risks have been there throughout the process, as they've won the league multiple times during it."

Another source said the process "should" be resolved by the end of the season, and they hoped any appeal would be "compressed".

The final decision rests with the independent commission, with the Premier League board and City both able to suggest a suitable punishment before the panel makes its ruling.

There is growing pressure for the case to be settled by the end of the season amid fears that allowing City to reach the end of the campaign without punishment could create uncertainty, particularly if they were to win the title.

One section of the Premier League regulations says an appeal should conclude no more than 12 weeks after it is filed, and a decision should be made within 30 days of its end. Procedures can be accelerated to meet deadlines such as the end of a league season.

Ferran Soriano, City's chief executive, has suggested the case will continue for a long time.

Manchester City cannot make a further appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but could potentially claim the process was not impartial at the High Court.

The Premier League said in its statement that it wants the process to be "concluded as soon as possible".

 

[Dylan]

I'm surprised by those comments from Andy Burnham

I'm a fan of Burnham's but his comments on this were dreadful and totally tone deaf.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Andy Burnham has backed away from saying he would be "really concerned" if Sheikh Mansour sold City. No 10 spokesperson now says: "If wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences."

In a statement following the backlash, Downing Street said the PM had made clear "the initial judgement is serious, and there can't be any suggestion that anyone is above the rules".

In an attempt to clarify the PM's position, a No 10 spokesperson added: "He also stressed that it is an ongoing independent process. It is essential that it is allowed to run its course and the outcome respected.

"Wherever wrongdoing is established, those responsible should face the appropriate consequences."

Good. Fecking stupid thing to say in the first place!

 

[Franco Pinion]

The chair of a cross-party group of MPs has written to His Majesty's Revenue and Customs to urge the tax authority to scrutinise the implications of the Premier League's verdict on Manchester City. The Treasury Committee, which is responsible for overseeing policies and administration of HMRC, has asked whether the government department has requested the redacted documents contained within the commission's report.

Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, said she would "welcome reassurance from HMRC that you are seized of the importance of these issues and the public interest in this case".