man city’s misdemeanours
For my sins, when I lived for a short space of time in Manchester I regarded myself as more sky-blue than red and, as such, I’ve consequently followed the up-and-down fortunes of City over the years with great interest. But now, after learning a couple of years ago that the club faced more than a hundred financial charges, their cheating chicken has finally come home to roost. Guilty as charged, your honour, and bang to rights but some good may just, perhaps, come from it.
No-one knows what their actual fate, or punishment, is yet to be but Wayne Rooney suggested it could be the docking of up to sixty points, which in reality means automatic relegation to the Championship. Mind, it could be worse in that the team could lose all eight trophies won during the period in question (2009/10 – 2017/18) including three Premier League titles. Both Everton and Nottingham Forest have been docked points for way lesser offences, so it would be an undeniable case of ‘one rule for the rich’ if similar didn’t occur. After failing to honour their financial commitments in 2012, the subsequently bankrupt Rangers FC are only just back on (almost) equal terms with Glasgow Celtic and suffered in the relative wilderness for well over a decade.
Whatever the outcome, is the actual verdict itself unjust? City will say yes as they obvs don’t see themselves, in their bid for global domination, as accountable to anything as trivial or petty as fair play rules. Their filibustering, divisive lawyers will vocally and belligerently agree as that’s what they’re paid to do. Many fans will say yes because they’re fans, blinkered to the truth and drunk on the success of recent years. Earlier today I even heard one deluded fan claim the club are modern-day suffragettes that are being persecuted like Peterloo victims. Both a history lesson and a bit of perspective are well overdue.
Furthermore, the club’s behaviour during the impartial investigation has been equally shocking: Failing to provide accurate and relevant financial reports, intentionally concealing salary details and bonuses, both inflating and inventing sponsorship revenues and failing to cooperate and/or supply requested documents all feature on the rap sheet.
Notwithstanding the inevitable appeal, which will fail, what happens next? Undoubtedly relegation. Almost certainly they’ll lose some or all of their best players, although Erling Haaland may hang around to see how goals he can put past the likes of the mighty Lillywhites, Imps and ‘ornets. Only kidding! Sponsors understandably run a mile and the magic money-tap is turned off.
The good news, if there is any, is that the club starts building again, this time on a level playing field and within affordable financial constraints. Players, managers, and those in the boardroom are paid their true worth. Vastly inflated ticket prices fall, allowing regular fans and spectators back into the ground (unbelievably/laughably Man City rarely sell all their tickets or even get close to filling the stadium (with the one notable exception being the home town derby)). Nonchalant glory-hunting supporters begin to appreciate Wembley visits and winning trophies, even the League and FA Cups, are honours and not rights.
And the greatest positive that will come out of City’s disgrace is that justice is done and that, hopefully, God-forbid, a precedent is set for all of football to follow. It was once referred to as ‘working class theatre’ and just perhaps the beautiful game may begin to remember its roots and where its loyalties lie.
