Exclusive - No punishment predicted for Man City rule breakers.
If you're reading this article because you think YSW has been leaked some exclusive news about the prospective punishment for Manchester City if they lose their appeal, you'll be disappointed.
The reason this is exclusive is we are yet to hear the rest of the football media giving any thought for what must be a crucial consideration. So, I know this is tough, but just for a moment, take off your scarves and imagine we're talking about your club.
Lets assume for a moment that City lose their appeal and are guilty of all 114 charges.
We may as well, because thats what he rest of the media is doing.
Everyone, including the FA, state that 'The Club' is guilty.
So what actually is 'The Club'?
Every football club is made up of three components. The owners and directors, the players and coaching staff and the fans.
Agree so far?
They say 'The Club' are guilty of 114 breaches for which the will be punished.
And the punishment will be severe.
As it should be.
You can see where I'm going here.
Did 'The Club' break the rules or did just one section of the club?
No-one is disputing the fact that the fans certainly didn't, and nor did the players and coaching staff.
The real victims of this law breaking will not be Tony Pulis, or Liverpool, or any other club who naively thinks they would have won something had it not occurred. One totally innocent part of the club will always be considered guilty and another totally innocent part will receive the biggest punishment.
The talk is of a huge fine and a massive points deduction, or even relegation.
Certainly the fine may hurt the actual perpetrators of the breaches, but I doubt it will be significant enough for Sheik Mansour to lose much sleep.
But would a relegation or points deduction actually punish them at all. I sincerely doubt it.
Most 'Clubs' would be hurt by this because of the obvious revenue implications. Probably not City though.
Again, will the Sheik or the Directors lose any sleep about losing a few million for a couple of seasons?
I suspect, for most of them, their biggest concern will be inferior facilities for away directors at lower league clubs.
Lets not forget, these guys haven't paid a single penny to stand in the cold and rain, eating luke warm pies and holding their breath when they go in the loos.
Or queue for over an hour to get out of Ipswich Town's car park at 10pm on a Sunday night. Thats before your four hour drive home.
I doubt any of them could even tell you who scored the two goals to force extra time against Gillingham in the '99 play off final..
And they will certainly have never felt the pain, or suffered the abuse which occurred a few days earlier when you're biggest rivals won the treble.
Sorry guys, unless you've experienced this, from being old enough to wear a ridiculously expensive replica shirt, you will never understand how it feels.
And please don't patronise us with free inflatable bananas when you don't have any idea how it all started.
( I would explain it but you've probably never even heard of Imre Varadi)
As a City fan, I am offended by your claims of affinity with us.
You have no idea what supporting a club actually means.
And you never will.
And when you inevitably leave. Be honest. You wont give a sh%t about this Club.
You will have no idea of the real disappointment felt by dozens of players, or coaching staff, who responded to the promise of a dream and put everything into achieving that dream.
Even though some have come out and said this will not tarnish their memories. They are already having to endure the likes of Roy Keane saying they should throw their medals in the bin.
That will hurt.
Even a victory in the appeal court will not prevent accusations and diminished recognition for their achievements by many in the football world.
For years to come.
Its also time for the football pundits and media to be honest.
They all have an allegience to one club or another, and they know everything I'm saying here is true.
They're conducting a 'kangaroo court' hoping to put pressure on the FA to convince them of the uproar which would take place if a huge points deduction or relegation is not handed out.
Come on guys, just be honest. You're sick of Man City beating your club regularly and winning everything.
And you'd like a few seasons off. I get that.
You might profess to feel strongly about the reputation of football, blah blah blah. Probably true. But not as much as you hate watching City regularly beat your club.
Any points deduction will hurt the fans and players the most. Fact.
And neither has done anything wrong. Fact
I know the precedent for recent for similar breaches has been points deductions, but if this is the biggest sporting rule breaking incident 'ever', as we keep getting told. Surely it requires special attention and consideration when it comes to the legalities and implications of any punishment.
I'm really struggling to understand how it could possibly be morally or ethically right to punish innocent parties and leave the actual perpetrators with nothing other than a slap on the wrist.
I'm sorry but that looks like that could be exactly what could happen.
The real message posted to the fans on social media should be;
'As you know, we love you. You are the greatest etc etc. But, know this. If we do anything wrong or illegal, the precedent, together with most of the media 'experts', and the FA themselves, says that you should be ones who are punished the most. Be comforted by the fact that we will receive no discernible action that we really care about. And as you're go back to those cold pies and wet uncovered terraces, we will be long gone and probably never give you another thought. I know you will truly understand why we cant possibly be expected to tolerate cheap Chablis or unchilled Sancerre for our half time refreshment at Port Vale or Walsall. Merry Christmas to you all!'
