MCFC OK

I think that’s fair. I wish everyone would take an open minded approach to the charges (that’s all they are right now) instead having us down as guilty when in reality they don’t know this. The majority of people believe what City haters in the media like Delaney, Panja, Harris, Ziegler put out there. Let’s face it these ‘journalists’ aren’t impartial in any way and don’t write or report as such. For me, I have confidence that serious businessmen in high positions won’t make such grave mistakes, knowing what the potential consequences would be. I think we will be found guilty of some charges though, but even if these are relatively minor indiscretions (the Mancini charge was less than 1% of revenue at that time), it will still be twisted that this was an action that changed the course of history. I probably sound like a tinfoil hat wearer but hearing accusations and assumed guilt from every angle is tiresome after a while and you get a sense of what the vast majority of commentators want the outcome to be.

Financial fraud, meaning exaggeration of sponsorship income, or disguised equity funding. These were already contested at CAS (UEFA charges) and the panel could not find evidence to conclude there was any breach of rules. Not only would this have required collusion between around four parties. MCFC would have had to have misled BDO, Deloitte, Ernst and Young and KPMG. Don’t you think this seems far fetched?

Agree on all points. Thinly veiled financial rules were brought in to keep the same three clubs at the top of English football year after year, no other reason. The same three clubs also happened to be the ones who were behind the decision to keep home gate receipts back in the early 80’s, the same three clubs in the self serving G14 group, the same three clubs who were behind formation of the Premier League and the same three clubs who were secretly meeting US financiers to form a breakaway European Super League. So really it’s no wonder clubs have been creative in circumventing the rules. I’m sure MCFC haven’t been the only clubs to do so, but we’re the only club under investigation due to the hacked emails. Agree on Arsenal as well, we’ll do well to stop them this year.

I’d love to know what positives come from the notion of ‘sportswashing’. I can’t see too much glory being bestowed on the owners of MCFC, PSG, NUFC nor the organisers of LIV golf or the Qatar World Cup. In fact, some might reasonably suggest that it’s quite the opposite and just attracts negative publicity. I’d go as far as suggesting it’s a fanciful and unproven notion, only lapped up by readers of the likes of Miguel Delaney. Worth also noting, MCFC are majority owned by an individual, and 18% owned by a US investment firm, so I’d also dispute the usual “state owned” nonsense that gets trotted out again and again.

Innocent until proven guilty. A high number of those charges have already went to the independent Court of Arbitration for Sport, who found no evidence of wrongdoing. That is an independent and fair body and any suggestion to the contrary is preposterous. The charges were brought on the back of illegally obtained (hacked) emails. Out of millions hacked, seven were used and when reviewed these were found to be spliced together or taken out of context to misrepresent the club. With the vast majority of commentary on the charges being anti-City I can see why people believe what they do but there are two sides to this and the charges brought will be fully contested. *Apologies for spamming your forum

The Kippax Stand was being rebuilt at that point. I’d also point to the 40k - 47k we averaged pre takeover many of which were relegation threatened years. Majority of City fans were complimentary about Bristol, Ashton Gate, your team and fans the other night. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the odd one who goes against the grain. All the best for the rest of the season and hopefully we’ll see you in the Premier League one day.