MATCH DAY!
It’s been three weeks, but we’re here. There’s been the charges and the controversy but all that matters today is taking the three points against @ManCity at Anfield.
Let’s do this, Reds 🔴
🚨JUST IN: MANCHESTER CITY COULD BE FACING THE REST OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
Rival clubs are reportedly weighing collective action if City’s punishment for the financial-rule breaches is viewed as too weak.
The frustration reportedly goes beyond the punishment itself, with clubs concerned about political and economic influence entering the picture amid reported UAE concerns over the consequences for City.
The reported stance is simple:
No special treatment. No exceptions. If City get preferential treatment, clubs could consider refusing to cooperate with them.
That would create an extraordinary showdown between City and the rest of the league.
One league. One set of rules. They should apply to everyone.
Money earned from sponsorship deals between 2009 to 2018:
Arsenal £724m
Spurs £900m
Man City £949.94m
Manchester United £1.03B
Liverpool £1.1B
Chelsea £1.2B
So why is Manchester City the only club whose sponsorship finances are under investigation???
I stated yesterday that IF the links between Sheikh Mansour, Manchester City and Andy Burnham were PROPERLY investigated. Labour would need to have a Leadership contest.
Now it’s looking to be gathering pace….
I’m educationally guessing as Mayor of Manchester he was bought.
Manchester City are a huge club today, but they are not bigger than the Premier League.
The Premier League was already one of the biggest and most commercially powerful leagues in world football before Manchester City became dominant, and it will remain that way regardless of what happens to City.
Look at the clubs in England.
Chelsea. Liverpool. Arsenal. Tottenham. Newcastle. Aston Villa. Manchester United and others.
These clubs have enormous global fanbases, commercial power, history and international audiences. Chelsea alone has a massive global following and remains one of the biggest clubs in world football. So if Manchester City were relegated because of a regulatory decision, are people genuinely going to stop watching the Premier League?
Are broadcasters suddenly going to abandon it?
Will sponsors disappear?
Will millions of supporters around the world suddenly stop watching Chelsea vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs Chelsea or Newcastle vs Tottenham?
Of course not. And the argument that England would somehow lose its European relevance without City doesn’t hold much weight either. England would still have some of the biggest and most followed clubs in European football competing in UEFA competitions.
The Premier League does not depend on one club to maintain its global status.
And this is where the conversation about punishment gets complicated.
You cannot argue that rules must be enforced, then say they should not be enforced because the consequences might cost money.
If Manchester City are found to have breached the rules and the appropriate punishment is relegation, then the financial consequences cannot become a reason to ignore or weaken those rules.
Manchester City’s rise has undoubtedly added to the Premier League’s global appeal. But the Premier League did not become globally relevant because of Manchester City.
Manchester City became globally relevant because they were part of the Premier League.
🗣️ "The last 48 hours was unbelievable, the support from the board..."
Rangers head coach Danny Röhl comfirms he has been told by chairman Andrew Cavenagh and the club's board that he will remain in charge for next season ⤵️