Man City Discussion

[mgarbowski]

Agreed on CAS - but if the timing is the same (February 2020, December 2020), it seems that next season in the CL would begin prior to a decision, leading to a deferral of any penalty until 2021/2022 CL.

I know it's not a perfect like for like comparison, but Chelsea was subject to the transfer ban in summer 2019 while its appeal was pending. I just did some quick research and it looks like a stay is possible but not automatic. You have to make a motion to have the sanction stayed while the appeal is pending. I would expect Man City is likely to be successful in getting a stay, but it's not a given. To add another imperfect data point, Caster Semenya appealed a negative decision by the CAS to the Swiss Supreme Court, which first stayed the ruling against her, and then withdrew the stay, so who knows what will happen.

New Ruling Prevents Caster Semenya From Defending 800-Meter World Championship Title

The Swiss Supreme Court reversed a suspension of the IAAF’s ruling that allowed the South African Olympian to continue racing.

www.runnersworld.com

 

[mgarbowski]

Agreed on CAS - but if the timing is the same (February 2020, December 2020), it seems that next season in the CL would begin prior to a decision, leading to a deferral of any penalty until 2021/2022 CL.

I also meant to say I initially misread your initial post and thought you suggested the ban would not go into effect until after 2 full cycles from now. You were clear, I just read it too fast. So yes, if a stay is imposed I agree the earliest it goes into effect is probably 2012-22.

 

[Keith Putnam]

Whoah. I think the consensus was it wouldn't happen. Does Pep abandon ship? Can they appeal and if so, does that stay the suspension? Details are scarce.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1228388462925099010

My off-the-cuff prediction is that on appeal it will get knocked down to a one-year ban to be served the season after next (or the season after the appeal). UEFA can't walk it back completely or they'll lose any pretense of teeth and FFP will be over forever. I presume they handed down a two-year ban with the expectation it will turn into a one-year ban.

UEFA wants City in the UCL, but they also want to be seen as having some actual power.

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

FFP will be over forever.

FFP should be over forever, its basically an unfair salary cap that changes from team to team, but thats a whole different argument

 

[Davo15]

FFP should be over forever, its basically an unfair salary cap that changes from team to team, but thats a whole different argument

I feel like it's sole purpose is to protect the classic aristocrat teams against new money.

 

[Kangaroo Jack]

I feel like it's sole purpose is to protect the classic aristocrat teams against new money.

If we are to believe what we are told, it was mainly created to keep teams from going bankrupt and overspending beyond their means. However, it also successfully keeps the already small teams down and the already big teams up.

 

[Keith Putnam]

but thats a whole different argument

It is, and any of our feelings about FFP aside I think we can all agree that UEFA would like it to continue.

 

[Ulrich]

On what basis would this be overturned or reduced if the inflated sponsorship directly affects FFP, and was specifically engineered to beat it - that’s different than Chelsea’s charges and resolution.

 

[Keith Putnam]

On what basis would this be overturned or reduced

On the basis of this whole thing really coming down to a bunch of rich people jockeying for power and influence, and they'll ultimately compromise on something which keeps making all of them lots of money while granting concessions to each other about who really wears the Big Boy Pants. None of the "rules" really matter.

 

[Brooklyn Blue]

On what basis would this be overturned or reduced if the inflated sponsorship directly affects FFP, and was specifically engineered to beat it - that’s different than Chelsea’s charges and resolution.

I am sure experts and pundits will present a better case shortly, but I suspect the primary points of an appeal by Manchester City would be:

1) UEFA is in error with its review of accounting and the team operated within regulations;

2) UEFA reached its determination unfairly and with bias based on leaked information during the review process.

There has been initial speculation that a settlement would be a one year ban, reduced from two. I am unsure that Manchester City would accept that settlement. Any ban would push City - and the other large clubs - towards the oft discussed 'super league' and possibly end the Champions League, crippling UEFA.

 

[Ulrich]

On the basis of this whole thing really coming down to a bunch of rich people jockeying for power and influence, and they'll ultimately compromise on something which keeps making all of them lots of money while granted concessions to each other about who really wears the Big Boy Pants. None of the "rules" really matter.

So rules that the governing body enacted years ago, and all clubs are beholden to, as a basis of competition will be overturned by the court to benefit a team that focused their energy on bypassing and cheating...... uh, ok.

 

[Davo15]

I am sure experts and pundits will present a better case shortly, but I suspect the primary points of an appeal by Manchester City would be:

1) UEFA is in error with its review of accounting and the team operated within regulations;

2) UEFA reached its determination unfairly and with bias based on leaked information during the review process.

There has been initial speculation that a settlement would be a one year ban, reduced from two. I am unsure that Manchester City would accept that settlement. Any ban would push City - and the other large clubs - towards the oft discussed 'super league' and possibly end the Champions League, crippling UEFA.

Damn I hadn't even thought of that but if I was Mansour I might well be on the phone to PSG and Roman etc. pitching "you could be next lets start our own thing, fuck the plebs "

 

[Ulrich]

I am sure experts and pundits will present a better case shortly, but I suspect the primary points of an appeal by Manchester City would be:

1) UEFA is in error with its review of accounting and the team operated within regulations;

2) UEFA reached its determination unfairly and with bias based on leaked information during the review process.

There has been initial speculation that a settlement would be a one year ban, reduced from two. I am unsure that Manchester City would accept that settlement. Any ban would push City - and the other large clubs - towards the oft discussed 'super league' and possibly end the Champions League, crippling UEFA.

Damn I hadn't even thought of that but if I was Mansour I might well be on the phone to PSG and Roman etc. pitching "you could be next lets start our own thing, fuck the plebs "

The problem with the super league, and any other league that attempts to break away, is that FIFA has to bless player movement between clubs and something that thumbs it’s nose at UEFA will not be looked at favorably. Will players want to risk a move to these teams that like to overhaul their rosters, at least 25%+ each year, meaning players that get canned have to look for a new landing spot while wondering if they will be sanctioned for going outside of UEFA.....

 

[Davo15]

The problem with the super league, and any other league that attempts to break away, is that FIFA has to bless player movement between clubs and something that thumbs it’s nose at UEFA will not be looked at favorably. Will players want to risk a move to these teams that like to overhaul their rosters, at least 25%+ each year, meaning players that get canned have to look for a new landing spot while wondering if they will be sanctioned for going outside of UEFA.....

I don't know but players better than I'd think and closer to their prime than I'd think are willing to move to China if the paycheck is right..

 

[Ulrich]

I don't know but players better than I'd think and closer to their prime than I'd think are willing to move to China if the paycheck is right..

China isn’t a sanctioned “league”

 

[Keith Putnam]

So rules that the governing body enacted years ago, and all clubs are beholden to, as a basis of competition will be overturned by the court to benefit a team that focused their energy on bypassing and cheating...... uh, ok.

You are clearly not cynical enough about the governing bodies of world football.

 

[Keith Putnam]

City is also possibly going to have points deducted in the Premier League.

Report: Man City facing possible PL points deduction

First a two-year ban from the Champions League, now Man City could be deducted Premier League points.

soccer.nbcsports.com

 

[adam]

City is also possibly going to have points deducted in the Premier League.

Report: Man City facing possible PL points deduction

First a two-year ban from the Champions League, now Man City could be deducted Premier League points.

soccer.nbcsports.com

please sell. Please sell. Please sell.

 

[ManhattanValley]

I think there's a decent chance this is turned over by CAS or at least severely lessened. Rodney Marsh suggesting on twitter that Mansour might look to sell if the ban isn't overturned, wonder if that would be all soccer assets including us? I think Financial Fairplay is and always has been a farce if it's to be anything other than a complete open market I'd like to see an actual salary cap or a luxury tax .

CAS have caved on everything from Chelsea's transfer ban to Russian doping and I see no reason why they won't do exactly the same here. I think it's more likely that Man City will win next year's UCL than it is they won't play in it.

As for CFG selling Man City - would Abu Dhabi really abandon this entire project for the sake of a two year ban in one competition? I doubt their Chinese shareholders would like that idea.

European Super League - not going to happen. Good luck persuading any English club to join one, and without any of them, the numbers don't make sense.

 

[mgarbowski]

Rebecca Lowe said that The Athletic reported that CAS is fast tracking the appeal and the goal is to have a decision by very early July before UCL qualifying starts. That's good, but leaves the club and its coaches and players with a lot of uncertainty heading into the summer transfer season.