00:00I think it's a great victory for the Premier League.
00:02My understanding from talking to one or two people in Manchester overnight,
00:07one comment was, this is worse than our worst case scenario.
00:16First of all, Manchester City have been accused of fraudulently receiving money from the owners,
00:23nothing wrong with that in its own right, and then claiming that it's money from sponsors.
00:27And the reason why that's important is for the profitability and sustainability rules.
00:32Sponsor money goes into your calculations, owner money doesn't.
00:37The second accusation is that they have been paying individuals through third parties.
00:44Roberto Mancini was allegedly on £2 million a year as a basic salary at the Etihad,
00:50and was also receiving £2 million a year for doing four days teaching.
00:54Again, that in itself is not illegal.
00:57What is not appropriate is that it reduces Manchester City's wage bill,
01:02and in doing so it reduces their losses.
01:05The third one is more of a technical accusation that Manchester City have not,
01:10they've not assisted the Premier League as far as its investigation into Manchester City's financial affairs are concerned.
01:18I don't even think Manchester City would deny that they would like it to be found guilty on that one.
01:23If found guilty, and if above that £105 million limit,
01:28then we've got to be looking at a substantial points deduction.
01:32On top of that, the Premier League will seek to recover its legal costs,
01:37and on top of that, there will be a fine for non-cooperation.
01:40I don't think automatic relegation will be applied.
01:45Where I think the potential huge issues are, are, first of all, participation in the Champions League.
01:52Clubs finishing fifth where Manchester City have been in the top four,
01:55they may feel that we're entitled to the denial of the opportunity to play in the Champions League the following
02:02season.
02:03City have produced a press release, and reading between the lines, I think there's two things.
02:09First of all, it's not over.
02:12And secondly, we will be appealing, assuming that the 114 charges are upheld.
02:20I don't think City will appeal just yet, because there has to be a sitting now of the adjudication panel.
02:28And what they say, you've been found guilty, we're now going to determine your punishment.
02:34Can they appeal the initial verdict?
02:36Again, yes, but on very, very limited grounds.
02:40They can't go to CAS, they can't appeal on the basis of the evidence provided.
02:44It reflects the reality of rich people are used to getting their own way.
02:50And when they don't get their own way, they will use all legal means possible to try to get their
02:55own way.
