19 Sep 2024 23:18:15
Benjamin Sesko is he the real thing Ed’s? and do you think he is prem bound next summer?
{Ed002's Note - Not to Liverpool.}
20 Sep 2024 20:26:29
Can I ask where he might be going Ex002, thanks for the reply.
{Ed002's Note - To one of the unterested sides.}
20 Sep 2024 22:18:56
Ed, do you think Liverpool are actively trying to make signings in January? And, what is the vibe in the trade about MC’s legal troubles?
{Ed002's Note - Yes, Liverpool will continue to look to improve the side but won't buy for the sake of it. They need to settle on clear targets.
As for Manchester City, I don't expect there will be any consideration to "title stripping" but if found guilty the potential punishments are slapped wrist (they need to clear out the charges which are simply noise and that may deal with those), fine (that could be negotiated to avoid any appeal - an option Nottingham Forest were looking to, but they were harshly treated), transfer ban (unlikely given a previous transfer ban for another club went horribly wrong for the authorities), points deduction (if found guilty of some of the serious issues and the most likely punishment I would think) and in theory relegation by expelling them from the Premier League if found guilty of multiple serious charges (could potentially happen but it would cause a huge problem with the EFL and the EFL clubs) or having their license cancelled completely (it has happened to Bury, Anzhi Makachkala and others over the years - but won't happen to Manchester City). Manchester City will claim, and subsequently use the claim in an appeal if necessary, that the charges are largely the result of criminal activity where computers were hacked - legally that puts the Premier League in a difficult position which may encourage some sort of settlement). Going down the appeal route will not suit anyone.
The huge difficulty with the concept of "title stripping" or any retrospective punishment is that it would be necessary to remove Manchester City from the equation for the Premier League for certain years by deleting all of their results, goals scored and conceded and re-adjusting the points and the prize money allocated. This would retropspectively impact which clubs qualified for the Champions League and other European competition - and again gained prize money from it, it may well also impact the relegation of teams and therefore impact the integrity of the Championship and lower leagues in subsequent seasons. It would mean years of liturgation and the relaunch of the pan-European league again.}
21 Sep 2024 05:52:02
Ok chief, not LIVERPOOL then, resoundingly.
Is Openda an option Liverpool may be interested in? 24 goals last season and still relatively young at 24 yrs.
{Ed002's Note - Lois Openda (S/W) Only joined RBL in 2023 as an Nkunku replacement and after having a great season there are sides who spoke to RBL about him this past summer. RBL will likely further reject any requests for discussion although with Sesko now staying they could listen to a very significant offer if it is above their valuation of the player. Manchester United went for Zirkzee so can be discounted; likewise Spurs opted for Solanke after losing out on their primary target. Chelsea have been struggling to find a striker could return but he would only be their third choice.}
21 Sep 2024 11:33:54
It was on Sly Sports that one of the top lawyers acting for "MOAN" City, is on £5,000 pounds an hour to defend them from the Conference League hopefully.
21 Sep 2024 13:08:32
shughes55 - fiending for a striker signing?
21 Sep 2024 13:01:57
Thanks for the comprehensive answer Ed, I don’t think stripping titles would be a good outcome for anyone, even if LFC were awarded the title retrospectively, it would always have an asterisk beside it. I really hope the get a meaningful points deduction that would put them out of the CL places. The financial and reputational damage would be a deterrent to others.
21 Sep 2024 17:59:24
FPF I think we need. To replace Nunez mate, just my opinion but I’m sure I’m not alone.
Scored today but he is not the answer.
21 Sep 2024 19:58:51
Appreciate the detailed response Ed on the man city matter however, my own opinion btw, its not a criminal matter therefore how the information was obtained really doesn't matter for their defence. Perhaps I'm being naive.
I'm not trying to open a debate forum and you to be hounded anymore than you already do! Appreciate all your info. Cheers.
22 Sep 2024 00:36:24
Honestly, I think throwing the book at City and expelling them to the conference would do wonders for the English game.
Not only would it level the playing field at the top end, but it would also set the tone for future cases and clubs would be very, very reluctant to breach rules and regulations if they faced punishment like that.
At least that's my naive opinion anyway.
22 Sep 2024 06:20:42
The problem with a fine and points deduction is it’s just one season of punishment for multiple years of titles, which frankly speaking probably makes it still worth cheating (if indeed they’re found guilty of course) .
I think it would have to be a massive fine and more than one year of points deductions to really dissuade others from doing the same. 1yr out of the champions league/ title race is not really enough to discourage others IMO.
21 Sep 2024 21:47:41
Quick question ed002 - generally speaking stolen evidence can be used in legal proceedings as long as the prosecuting party had no hand in the theft, unless I'm mistaken.
So while city can claim the evidence was stolen (it was) the premier league had no part in it's theft which should make it valid for use in court.
{Ed002's Note - I don't know what you mean by "generally speaking" but it is at the discretion of the court whether to accept it or not - but it opens the door to appeals - and that is something that nobody wants which then opens the door to a settlement.}
22 Sep 2024 15:25:20
I read somewhere that two of the reason UEFA had to back down from their planned punishment of man city were due to it being time barred and the way the evidence obtained. The Premier League does not have these restrictions from what I read so if the evidence is there, it should count. Sadly though, most probable outcome is what ed02 has said. Pretty s**t that they'll basically get away with it.
22 Sep 2024 17:16:47
Imagine your defence being “yeah but that clear evidence of our wrongdoing was stolen from us” ?
I won’t be happy until all trophies are stripped from them and the history books, pep is paraded through the streets and the emptihad is nuked.
In all seriousness though, having their licence revoked or them relegated a few leagues would be pretty nice, they have ruined the prem for me, it’s no longer a serious competition.
22 Sep 2024 23:50:12
Id just like the punishment to be in keeping with punishments they have handed out to other teams.
If they are found to have breached 10 more serious rules than Everton over 7 seasons they should have 10 times the amount of points deducted each season for the next 7 seasons.
I know it’s not that simple but for clarity to the paying fans and fairness to the other clubs I wish it was.