I think it’s definitely one of the other here. Getting ahead of potential relegation/transfer ban by bringing in young talent and offering huge wages to players they’ll need to get back up quickly (Haaland/Marmoush). In Haaland’s case, I think his dream was Madrid but it’s clear there won’t be a spot for him there so he probably realizes no one else can really afford the wages he wants outside of City and Saudi.
115 Charges FC
I don't think it'll help in case of relegation. Surely all players going there or signing new contracts now will have a clause about that.
The case has already been ruled on right? So there must be some knowledge in the club somewhere and with this stuff it feels like it might not be a particularly significant ruling against them.
I doubt they know the ruling but they probably at least have some sense of the vibes surrounding it internally since I'm sure they've been in lockstep with their counsel. Its fascinating that it would be easy to read this as going either direction - either really good for them or really bad and they are getting ahead of it by locking down their future for the road back to the PL/heavy points deductions/transfer bans.
Re: Haaland if the wages reported are correct (500k per week), he's certainly not getting that really anywhere other than Saudi so if he's okay cashing in right now and then fighting back to the PL in a year or two, I get it. He certainly seems like the type of character that would prioritize making as much as he can, especially since he's won everything with City already.
I have zero expectations that City will get anything resembling a significant punishment
5 days later
23 days later
These cunts are going to get away with murder aren’t they
The league had started making changes to the rules last year with the clubs.
This is not related to the 115 which includes accounting fraud charges.
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Sounds like this will just allow City, and other clubs affected by the APT rules between 2021-2024, to be able to claim damages against the PL. It doesn't sound like it has an impact on the 115 charges and just as important, the new APT rules are unaffected by it which will prevent City (and Newcastle, etc.) from obtaining some insane sponsorship ahead of any potential penalties they may face.
The legal processes are never-ending. We've moved to the accelerated footing where continuous litigation replaces the vision of durably settling the regulatory questions.
It's evident that most of the time (as in this case) you've got City on one side, with varying allies depending on whether the issue at hand is arbitrary or corrupt financial doping, assessments of "right and proper" ownership, or multi-club structures. City have been on the wrong side of all three issues (there are and will be others).
As with FFP and PSR, the incentives for the leagues and FAs aren't to pursue harsh retrospective punishments, nor protect the dignity of the sport, but to protect the shared interests of club owners and investors, and league officials and satellites. Any aspiration to keep football entertaining and competitive is a fortunate side effect, but on the bright side, the regulations are actually getting stronger.
I reckon the league has already half-decided on its rebuke to City on the 115 charges behind the scenes and that's part of the reason they're off the rails.
Based on the reaction it's probably something like a 10 point penalty being talked about, making their season a dead rubber. Their busy winter window and Pep's mid season contract extension might also suggest an upcoming transfer ban.
Hopefully whatever punishment drags out until next season. No point in their punishment coming down when theyreso far off the pace. Either last season, or the season before when the charges came, but for God's sake, not this season.
... unless they're being relegated to League 2 or some shit, that I can get behind.
Big Willie this season works nicely for everyone. There will be no controversy over a title challenge. League Dan just deduct 10-20 points, and give them a 2 window transfer ban. At worst they won’t qualify for Europe through league.
Our last 2 seasons aren’t included in the case, so they’ll face no action for denying us a title. Only Liverpool and United stand to get titles if city are stripped. Northwest tings.
a month later
- Edited
If City are found guilty, their legal woes won't end there. A number of clubs have filed paperwork reserving the right to seek compensation from City for loss of income derived from missing out on European competitions and league titles if the club are found guilty. So this won't be over when the verdict drops. Far from it.
Lawyers licking their lips.
Lets just hope they drag it out into next season.
So happy. How they burn
