The saga involving the cheats at Manchester City is gathering pace. According to Bloomberg, the club’s hierarchy held preliminary talks with the Premier League about settling the case over alleged financial rule breaches. The source reports that City offered to make payments to resolve the matter. The parties discussed an option that would have allowed the club to settle for a substantial financial compensation package and avoid punishment in the form of expulsion from the Premier League and the stripping of titles.
What makes the story even more intriguing is that the talks took place before the club was found guilty of almost all the charges. However, the discussions came to nothing, as City consistently maintained that they were innocent.
It all looks rather strange: apparently, even before an independent commission had officially found them guilty, the sheikhs were trying to buy their way out behind closed doors. Perhaps they had too much faith in their lawyers’ abilities, or maybe they simply considered the proposed sum too high. Now that the storm has broken, the Citizens are digging in for a fight – the club has appealed against the independent commission’s decision. “The club is innocent of the charges brought by the Premier League, and there is an extensive body of irrefutable evidence supporting all of its positions in this case,” Manchester City said in a statement. If only everyone had such confidence in themselves.
The appeal will be heard by an independent three-person commission appointed by the chair of the league’s judicial panel. Under the new fast-track appeal rules, the hearing must take place within 12 weeks of the appeal being lodged, with a decision due within 30 days of the hearing’s conclusion.
What does Arsenal have to do with all this? The Gunners, along with Liverpool, have already come out strongly against the Premier League reaching a settlement with the Citizens. In other words, our club intends to see this whole saga through to the end. What’s more, reports suggest that Arsenal are preparing a separate legal claim against City.
This really is an entertaining series, with plenty of possible plot twists. Some believe the sheikhs will get off with little more than a slap on the wrist and face no serious consequences. Others are desperate for blood and cannot wait to see the Citizens dragged through the mud. Either way, someone is bound to be disappointed.
The British press reports that the issue has become political, and that punishing Manchester City could damage London’s relations with Arab investors. However, if it turns out that “Rafik is completely innocent”, many clubs, supporters and members of the public, both in the UK and around the world, will see an acquittal as a slap in the face for world football.
As they say, stay tuned for the next episode!
Source: Bloomberg
Author: MissingHenry
