14 Feb 2020 20:16:57
There's no point in mocking city for their ffp ruling today because there's no way that ban will stick. City will appeal to CAS and the ban will be overturned, they will probably end up just paying the fine. One thing I will say is how come PSG are not subject to the same? If any club has a 'creative' accountant it's them 😂.
14 Feb 2020 21:02:32
I don't think a 2 yr ban will be overturned to no ban. I think best case it will be reduced to a 1 yr ban. For UEFA to impose 2 years suggests overwhelming evidence of financial irregularities.
14 Feb 2020 21:15:50
I've a question if any of the Ed's have time to answer. If City are guilty of breaching UEFA fair play rules does it call into question whether they've broken PL financial fair play rules also?
{Ed002's Note - Nominally yes but there is no evidence to support that in the hands of The FA - and they sure as hell would not take a chance on going to court with the evidence that UEFA has.}
14 Feb 2020 22:18:59
Ok, thanks Ed. Will be interesting to see City's appeal strategy. I've seen somewhere that they may argue that FFP breaches European competition law. Not sure of the specifics around that law but interesting few weeks ahead.
{Ed002's Note - Maybe they will appeal that the evidence was stolen by Pinto and under law is not admissable?}
14 Feb 2020 23:00:12
You mention the fa wouldn't take the chance on going to court with the evidence UEFA has, If city or whoever take UEFA or the FA to the CAS and win do they have a high claim for compensation, or what's the risk, if any to the accuser?
{Ed002's Note - Thry are far from that.}
14 Feb 2020 23:25:15
Fair point, or maybe UEFA will argue that their investigation and evidence was independent, albeit driven by concerns raised in that German documentary which arose from Pintos leaks. Perhaps the whole appeal will hinge on whether UEFAs evidence can be separated from Pintos stolen / leaked info. Do you think the appeal process will be a drawn out affair Ed?
{Ed002's Note - It can take a while to organise and prepare for.}
15 Feb 2020 11:02:22
I’m not sure any of us a lawyers so I would bother commenting on the evidence.
City are getting what the deserve. Next up should be their special doctor in Barcelona.
15 Feb 2020 11:47:51
Sorry Ed can I clarify with you, do you mean the evidence UEFA has was illegally obtained so City will appeal and likely win or do you mean City will no way go to court because the evidence is damning? Difficult to state if City will win or not I know. Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Much of the evidence presented was obtained illegally by Rui Pinto (who is quite rightly in prison now) and then published. There will likely be another appeal via CAS.}
15 Feb 2020 12:12:23
Thanks Ed.
15 Feb 2020 13:14:13
Hi Ed. With City looking to rebuild parts of their squad this summer, do you think you will try and prolong the appeals process so as to push the ban to the 21-22 and 22-23 seasons or will they want the matter resolved as soon as possible?
One has to imagine that UEFA are fairly confident that the CAS will deem the evidence admissible for them to have gone ahead with their investigation and so despite City seeming confident that they’ve done nothing wrong, the ban seems likely to be upheld.
{Ed002's Note - It is not something they can control.}
{Ed001's Note - I have no idea. Have you checked on all the pages? Are you using phone data? As that can drop out and not send the post in the first place. Other than that, I have no idea.}