By Tony Attwood
Previously…
- What happens now about the 110+ charges levelled against ManC and its ex-manager?
- How Arteta turned Arsenal into Champions and how he aims to keep them at the top
And now, to broaden the issue…
Yesterday, it was hard to escape stories about how Pep Guardiola has been one of the most successful and influential managers in Premier League history. And such tales were told without any reference to the 100+ cases of cheating that are still hanging over them.
However, at least we do have the note to confirm that “An independent commission is yet to publish a ruling almost a year and a half after a disciplinary hearing concluded.” All that is missing is the asking of the question, why has it taken so long.
Certainly, the BBC has taken up the point, saying, “Whether the saga has played any role in the timing of Guardiola’s departure, and whether he wanted to leave City before the result was known, is unclear.
“But until the ruling comes, it is inevitable that questions will be asked about how exactly City achieved the trophy-laden era they have enjoyed since the takeover of the club by billionaire Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Mansour, deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, in 2008.”
Now I do think this is a step forward, in that although the print media continues to pretend, for the most part, that there is, and never has been, a problem at ManC, the BBC is made of sterner stuff and still asks questions. They also note that for two years of the period of games in which the charges arose, the man whom everyone has just been celebrating for his achievements, was in control. And I just wonder, if the case ever does come to trial, will that point about Guardiola being part of, or at least aware of, the financial scheme that allowed ManC to do the deals it did. The basic accusation is that the club failed to provide accurate financial information when requested to do so.
Now it is quite clear that any claim that Guardiola was not involved in the issues that arise from the points will be hard to sustain in an enquiry. This is because, although the allegations were first aired in 2018 by Der Spiegel, in the form of copies of Manchester City internal emails, they claim that ManC were sponsored by two state-owned corporations – Etihad and Etisalat, and that the money for this sponsorship came from Abu Dhabi United Group, which is or was owned by the owner of the club.
Thus, it was a direct input of money from the owner into the club at levels way beyond those allowed by Premier League regulations launched in 2012 and Financial Fair Play rules as introduced by Uefa in 2011.
Of course, that is not all, because there are also questions about “consultancy” fees and allegations that players were paid more than was shown in the accounts. And here the defence of the club is interesting, in that it primarily seems to say that since the emails which show these transactions were obtained without permission of the club, they were in fact obtained illegally, and thus are not admissible as evidence.
Now my own thought is that the key issues relate to claims that the club broke financial rules and Guardiola benefited by having more money to spend than he would otherwise have. If that were proven, then the manager might be criticised for not asking simply, “Where is all this money coming from?” but no more. Some say that will leave his legacy secure, but others might suggest that he should have asked more questions, more directly, and demanded clearer answers.
Now although it is not often mentioned in the English media, there are criticisms of Jose Mourinho and ManC made elsewhere in Europe, and the Premier League must know that if they refuse to delve into the matter, there could be allegations made that the Premier League is not playing by the same rules as the rest of the continent. Indeed, all the clubs that finished second to ManC during the Mourinho era could have a claim to the effect that the title was really theirs. But then a club that missed out on the Champions League because ManC finished above them, and could claim they have lost money because the Premier League did not investigate ManC. So now we start to find multiple reasons why the League does not want to investigate ManC.
However, countering this worry, and as other reports have said, it is the “scale and seriousness of the charges” that keep the cases alive. And it is not just the League which has been interested in the progress of the case. Uefa has its own investigations running. And the ManC issue is made yet more relevant as interest grows over the way that Chelsea were financed by a range of secret payments to agents between 2011 and 2018.
Thus, we still wait, and from time to time, remind the footballing authorities in England that we have not forgotten, and will not let this go, even though much of the rest of the media doesn’t seem interested.
‘Test’
I agree and the sycophancy surrounding Pep is wrong and yet so typical of the press.
I agree and the sycophancy surrounding Pep is typical of our moronic press!
Great report Tony, there seems to be a lot of questions regarding the timing of certain things happening that could or may not be coincidential.
For any legal reasons, anything we write of say is all just about (opinions and if’s) on what has so far been disclosed, as nobody yet knows the outcome, although evidence suggested they are confident and it seems to be leading towards a verdict, hopefully sooner rather than later for all parties involved. Some say they have already had their meetings and a verdict has already been discussed or disclosed between involved parties, who knows.
In relation to your article and the questions It asked, I have my own opinions that some of most or which is shared by others I have heard or read.
It may have started in 2009 and continued to 2018. That’s an overlap of two years during Peps 2016 joining the MC employment.
The charges include players and managers alleged hidden wages. It could therefore involve how they enticed Pep to join them in 2016 and his true signing on fee, if allegations are found true.
So the fact that he has decided to resign may exempt him from being questioned by an organisation that will now have no authority over him could be a motive for his retirement “if the allegations are proven true”, just IMO.
Would the punishment then be spread over the same amount of offensive years found guilty?
An Example, “if” proven and found guilty for the charges covering years 2009 to 2018, that would be 9 years of account offences.
So would that also equal a 9 year sentence of yearly points deducted each of the upcoming 9 years with yearly transfer and European bans for 9 years, or would they sum it up and total the points and bans over say two years and drop them to the 2nd division?
The inquiry of that magnitude (like the post office inquiry) should be made public rather than have secret deals and conclusion agreements behind closed doors, so we can all see the questions, evidence and accountability if proven true.
I have a bad feeling about a closed door agreement being made involving just a one year painful points deducted sentence with just an “easy payable” although exceptionally giant fine, with ManC115 getting let off lightly in comparison to the gigantic historical offence of apx 115charges.
This would involve the judgement of 9 years of success and asset empire building both on and off the field, as a consequence of this success they would now have gained new legitimate sponsors, higher legitimate marketing status and elite world fan base positioning, which although now legitimate, would have been gained and built up through previous non-legitamate success as it’s questionable spring board foundation to gain such heights.
All provided, If this is proven to be true of course. Just IMO.
This is all about opinions on what has been so far said about the case.
The question everyone is asking is why has this is dragging on so long and “Will we see” the Premier League and UAFA authority show true and fair justice, and will we see ManC to be proven guilty as charged on all offences, and if so, punished to fit the giant magnitude of charges covering 9 years of fraud and non disclosed information, to gain an unfair advantage to success, titles, assets and money and future knock on success with marketing, player assets, ground improvements all due to a now higher status in the football world, where as before 2009 they were of average status without recent trophies and titles and a mid table to bottom expectations team. The facts are there for all to judge and express an opinion. It is not the fans fault but it is the club’s owners but the club will have to pay the price if found guilty. IMO.
Interesting, I think the Premier clubs will want uefa to dish out the punishments because as earlier stated by Tony if it was the clubs then Manky115 would simply say see you in court to each club . Again I would state that this whole mess needs to be cleared up very soon. And the only workable solution is for the prem to leave manky115 on their own in a league of one club and then the prem reforms complete with some proper rules and regs that All uefa clubs back to the hilt. man City must never be admitted to any uefa competition or any European league …they’re out .
As for fines or devotions etc. forget it. manky in effect need to be cast off with nowhere to go . if the other bunch of cheats in west London want in on the future premier league they too should see what happens to manky115 can be their lot too .Therefore in their case a demotion to non league status with no recourse to spend on transfers and a massive fine is the prospect should there be so little as a fiver not accounted for.
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Well the issue is not just that the second team should be champions or another team qualify for Europe….
The fact is that any team that was relegated then has been a ‘victim’ and lost money because of City.
Any team losing to City in any Cup competition has had ‘damages’.
Unraveling this is going to be an interesting perspective.
Maybe the PL statutes have some article saying this cannot happen so it will not.
Still, the consequences are far reaching and we have not even talked about the CL.
Seeing how Chelsea got away with a slap on the wrist, I doubt much will happen however.
I am just glad and proud that The Arsenal did not breech the FFF rules and kept the faith. We played on a sloping pitch , but still remained fair . Now let the EPL , UEFA fo their worse to the clubs that defiled the rules .
Up the Gunners !