The Footie Thread

[Deleted member 15344]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1747398758025801826

Lots of commentary in past 36hrs about why PL charges under PSR rules against EFC and NFFC appear to be being expedited, while Man City's 115 charges (from an investigation dating back to 2018) linger, TBD on a now-agreed but not public timetable 1/n

Everton (for a second time) and Forest have been charged for "simple" failures to balance their books around the "acceptable" losses of £105m over a 3-year ruling period. 2/n

Whereas Man City's 115 charges effectively amount to accusations they were conducting financial fraud on a grand scale over a long period, and hoodwinking not just the PL but UEFA, and not co-operating. 3/n

We know from Football Leaks and other sources that the City hierarchy's view has long been they'd “rather spend £30m on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next ten years” than accept a punishment. THIS is plutocracy. 4/n

They HAVE spent millions on lawyers. The've used every legal avenue possible to stall the process. When I was an MoS reporter in 2021 we used an external QC to gain access to "open justice" and attend court as City tried to stymie the PL's investigation. 5/n

If Man City's supposed mountain of irrefutable evidence of their innocence is ready to go, then bring it on and get it sorted. For the benefit of everyone. 6/n

They could have cooperated almost SIX years ago when the PL first started investigating them, and they didn't. That's their prerogative. It's not great on the optics but they don't care about optics. 7/n

There is also a massive (MASSIVE) political element to this case. Sheikh Mansour is the deputy PM of a significant political ally of the United Kingdom. Imagine if he and his club were shamed by multiple guilty verdicts. Unprecedented and unpalatable. 8/n

I'll be submitting further FOIs to try to establish the extent of British government involvement in the PL vs City case, but others so far have been fruitless. The stakes are SO much higher than whether a football club broke some football rules. 9/n

Some (some) City fans go to extremes to convince themselves there's no case against City. Despite having been fined 90m euros (later reduced to "only" 30m) for major breaches of financial rules, and dishonesty, and non-cooperation. Before 115 PL charges. 10/n

I've reported on City my whole working life. I knew, and know, people inside the club at all levels. I've been Khaldoon's guest in their directors' suite (albeit before I called them out). I have multiple sources who told me what really happened. 11/n

Man City's hierarchy realised around 2010 that they needed "accelerated investment' before UEFA's FFP came into force. Their solution was cooking the books. That was evident from their 2014 punishment onwards. It's all been in plain sight. 12/12

 

[TimShady]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1747398758025801826

Lots of commentary in past 36hrs about why PL charges under PSR rules against EFC and NFFC appear to be being expedited, while Man City's 115 charges (from an investigation dating back to 2018) linger, TBD on a now-agreed but not public timetable 1/n

Everton (for a second time) and Forest have been charged for "simple" failures to balance their books around the "acceptable" losses of £105m over a 3-year ruling period. 2/n

Whereas Man City's 115 charges effectively amount to accusations they were conducting financial fraud on a grand scale over a long period, and hoodwinking not just the PL but UEFA, and not co-operating. 3/n

We know from Football Leaks and other sources that the City hierarchy's view has long been they'd “rather spend £30m on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next ten years” than accept a punishment. THIS is plutocracy. 4/n

They HAVE spent millions on lawyers. The've used every legal avenue possible to stall the process. When I was an MoS reporter in 2021 we used an external QC to gain access to "open justice" and attend court as City tried to stymie the PL's investigation. 5/n

If Man City's supposed mountain of irrefutable evidence of their innocence is ready to go, then bring it on and get it sorted. For the benefit of everyone. 6/n

They could have cooperated almost SIX years ago when the PL first started investigating them, and they didn't. That's their prerogative. It's not great on the optics but they don't care about optics. 7/n

There is also a massive (MASSIVE) political element to this case. Sheikh Mansour is the deputy PM of a significant political ally of the United Kingdom. Imagine if he and his club were shamed by multiple guilty verdicts. Unprecedented and unpalatable. 8/n

I'll be submitting further FOIs to try to establish the extent of British government involvement in the PL vs City case, but others so far have been fruitless. The stakes are SO much higher than whether a football club broke some football rules. 9/n

Some (some) City fans go to extremes to convince themselves there's no case against City. Despite having been fined 90m euros (later reduced to "only" 30m) for major breaches of financial rules, and dishonesty, and non-cooperation. Before 115 PL charges. 10/n

I've reported on City my whole working life. I knew, and know, people inside the club at all levels. I've been Khaldoon's guest in their directors' suite (albeit before I called them out). I have multiple sources who told me what really happened. 11/n

Man City's hierarchy realised around 2010 that they needed "accelerated investment' before UEFA's FFP came into force. Their solution was cooking the books. That was evident from their 2014 punishment onwards. It's all been in plain sight. 12/12

Football’s best known secret.

 

[Hobbit]

True. With some exceptions aside, it does seem that footballers these days can generally play to a high level a lot later into their career. I remember as players reached 30, then it was assumed that their career at the top level was almost done. Whereas there seem to be more and more cases of players playing to a very high level well beyond 30. Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic didn't do too badly. De Bruyne is 32, Salah is 31. I'm guessing they've got several more years at the highest level before they need to consider winding down.

Lots of factors at play I suppose. Lifestyle (diet, alcolhol), pitches, sports science, etc.

Also, clubs have much bigger squads these days, can make 5 subs, etc. It is easier to rest big players if you know you have a fairly capable replacement, and know that even though your team would be a bit weaker now, it'll be stronger once your better player is back. 30-40 years ago, I reckon if a club had one of their best players injured, they'd know that the replacement could be a significant downgrade. And so probably injected them with whatever they could just to get them on the pitch. And, given that getting hurt back in those days seemed to be a badge of honour, I reckon players would be only too happy to play through the pain. Whereas today a player stubs his toe, and needs to take a month off to recover.

I think players could get away with playing with an injury ‘back in the day.’ The speed and the intensity nowadays is way above yesteryear, which means players can’t compete when carrying an injury. Personally, I think it’s as simple as that.

It obvious when a player returns from injury - they’re off the pace. Occasionally you’ll see a player back too soon, e.g. Rashford’s ankle injury and VVD after Pickford crocked him. Both came back too soon.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

True. With some exceptions aside, it does seem that footballers these days can generally play to a high level a lot later into their career. I remember as players reached 30, then it was assumed that their career at the top level was almost done. Whereas there seem to be more and more cases of players playing to a very high level well beyond 30. Ronaldo, Messi and Ibrahimovic didn't do too badly. De Bruyne is 32, Salah is 31. I'm guessing they've got several more years at the highest level before they need to consider winding down.

Lots of factors at play I suppose. Lifestyle (diet, alcolhol), pitches, sports science, etc.

Also, clubs have much bigger squads these days, can make 5 subs, etc. It is easier to rest big players if you know you have a fairly capable replacement, and know that even though your team would be a bit weaker now, it'll be stronger once your better player is back. 30-40 years ago, I reckon if a club had one of their best players injured, they'd know that the replacement could be a significant downgrade. And so probably injected them with whatever they could just to get them on the pitch. And, given that getting hurt back in those days seemed to be a badge of honour, I reckon players would be only too happy to play through the pain. Whereas today a player stubs his toe, and needs to take a month off to recover.

Some players are more likely to play through than other

Scamacca wanted to go back to Italy so didn't want to play through the pain and risk making his injury worse

Zouma plays through constant knee pain and watching him play he should just retire as he is going to have real issues when he is older

 

[TimShady]

 

[Deleted member 15344]

View attachment 51473

It was a poor move and it’s not a surprise to see him leaving quickly , will prob be followed quickly by a number of players over the next couple of months - money isn’t everything. Unfortunately will prob take a while for him to mend the broken bridges he has with the LGBT community

 

[CountLippe]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1747398758025801826

Lots of commentary in past 36hrs about why PL charges under PSR rules against EFC and NFFC appear to be being expedited, while Man City's 115 charges (from an investigation dating back to 2018) linger, TBD on a now-agreed but not public timetable 1/n

Everton (for a second time) and Forest have been charged for "simple" failures to balance their books around the "acceptable" losses of £105m over a 3-year ruling period. 2/n

Whereas Man City's 115 charges effectively amount to accusations they were conducting financial fraud on a grand scale over a long period, and hoodwinking not just the PL but UEFA, and not co-operating. 3/n

We know from Football Leaks and other sources that the City hierarchy's view has long been they'd “rather spend £30m on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next ten years” than accept a punishment. THIS is plutocracy. 4/n

They HAVE spent millions on lawyers. The've used every legal avenue possible to stall the process. When I was an MoS reporter in 2021 we used an external QC to gain access to "open justice" and attend court as City tried to stymie the PL's investigation. 5/n

If Man City's supposed mountain of irrefutable evidence of their innocence is ready to go, then bring it on and get it sorted. For the benefit of everyone. 6/n

They could have cooperated almost SIX years ago when the PL first started investigating them, and they didn't. That's their prerogative. It's not great on the optics but they don't care about optics. 7/n

There is also a massive (MASSIVE) political element to this case. Sheikh Mansour is the deputy PM of a significant political ally of the United Kingdom. Imagine if he and his club were shamed by multiple guilty verdicts. Unprecedented and unpalatable. 8/n

I'll be submitting further FOIs to try to establish the extent of British government involvement in the PL vs City case, but others so far have been fruitless. The stakes are SO much higher than whether a football club broke some football rules. 9/n

Some (some) City fans go to extremes to convince themselves there's no case against City. Despite having been fined 90m euros (later reduced to "only" 30m) for major breaches of financial rules, and dishonesty, and non-cooperation. Before 115 PL charges. 10/n

I've reported on City my whole working life. I knew, and know, people inside the club at all levels. I've been Khaldoon's guest in their directors' suite (albeit before I called them out). I have multiple sources who told me what really happened. 11/n

Man City's hierarchy realised around 2010 that they needed "accelerated investment' before UEFA's FFP came into force. Their solution was cooking the books. That was evident from their 2014 punishment onwards. It's all been in plain sight. 12/12

Question for any Man City fans on here...

1. Do you think City are guilty?
2. If they are found guilty, what in your opinion, would be a fair punishment?

 

[TimShady]

Question for any Man City fans on here...

1. Do you think City are guilty?
2. If they are found guilty, what in your opinion, would be a fair punishment?

I can’t wait to see the answers to this. Prepare yourself for whataboutery and outright denial.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

I can’t wait to see the answers to this. Prepare yourself for whataboutery and outright denial.

I'd like to see them rewarded for saving us from United and Liverpool fans winning the title. City fans are used to years and years of rubbish they are very humble.

 

[SteveW86]

I can’t wait to see the answers to this. Prepare yourself for whataboutery and outright denial.

I doubt they’ll answer

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'd like to see them rewarded for saving us from United and Liverpool fans winning the title. City fans are used to years and years of rubbish they are very humble.

 

[AmandaJR]

Question for any Man City fans on here...

1. Do you think City are guilty?
2. If they are found guilty, what in your opinion, would be a fair punishment?

I'll bite.

1. Don't know
2. Don't know

What I do know is whatever happens nothing will ever remove the amazing memories of the past several years after decades of rubbish. Beautiful football. Wonderful players. Trophies galore. Success in style.

That's all I'm saying on the subject so have a go all you like

 

[AmandaJR]

Ok I lied...

Ageurooooooooo. I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again.

Done

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Ok I lied...

Ageurooooooooo. I swear you'll never see anything like this ever again.

Done

Seeing the look on fergies face when he found out the result

 

[clubchamp98]

I feel it was the refs failure to stamp any authority on the game in the first half Ie not even giving a foul for that first "tackle" set the tone and it was snide challenge after snide challenge.



Benny was wrong to kick out..rightly sent off However the tackle on him doesn't happen if the first is booked, because either that player was already on a yellow or off the field

I also think refs giving nothing for shirt pulling has made it worse in the modern game .
Like last night player swings an arm and gets booked trying to get free from Cresswell .

Its like shirt pulling has been made a non foul!

 

[Pin-seeker]

View attachment 51473

he really has made himself look a bit of a tit hasn’t he

Can’t see Stevie G lasting much longer either

 

[AmandaJR]

Seeing the look on fergies face when he found out the result

Fergie and Phil Jones. Their faces. Remember it like it was yesterday.

 

[Tashyboy]

Question for any Man City fans on here...

1. Do you think City are guilty?
2. If they are found guilty, what in your opinion, would be a fair punishment?

I think they are guilty of some charges. Which I am not sure, I don’t think anyone is yet. Until They are found guilty of those charges am not sure you can say what is a fair punishment.
i have gone on record and think that FFP Is rammel.
UEFA and the premier league have gone on record and say you must only spend a certain percentage on players but not your own money. Because they don’t want clubs going bust. But spend as much as you like of your own money on stadiums and infrastructure. How’s that work out.

 

[clubchamp98]

I think they are guilty of some charges. Which I am not sure, I don’t think anyone is yet. Until They are found guilty of those charges am not sure you can say what is a fair punishment.
i have gone on record and think that FFP Is rammel.
UEFA and the premier league have gone on record and say you must only spend a certain percentage on players but not your own money. Because they don’t want clubs going bust. But spend as much as you like of your own money on stadiums and infrastructure. How’s that work out.

You can sell the stadium when your relegated to the Vanaramma league.
The players will leave!

 

[Billysboots]

Fergie and Phil Jones. Their faces. Remember it like it was yesterday.

I’ll never forget the look on my 9 year old’s face. We watched it in a bar in Majorca whilst on an enforced early summer holiday, as my force had banned all leave that summer from June 1 to August 31 because of the London Olympics.

It cost me a fortune in ice cream to try and cheer the poor lad up. Me? I just had a beer and adopted the attitude that you can’t win them all.