Monday Cannon Fodder: Open Court
09/16/2024 12:33 PM
The trial for Manchester City's 115 charges begins today
Happy Monday, folks. I'm sure I'm not alone in the fact that I am still buzzing after Arsenal's short-handed NLD win over Spurs on Sunday. Few things take the sting out of the beginning of the week quite like taking all three points at the toilet bowl.
The big story in the football world, though, is that today begins the hearing into Manchester City's 115 charges of financial impropriety. After months of posturing and postulating, the whole ordeal will finally be dealt with. It will be long, it will be ugly, but the matter is finally being delved into.
It is going to be THE dominant story in the Premier League for the rest of the season, make no doubt about it. The ramifications are massive. If they are found guilty of even a fraction of the charges, that could (or should) result in a slew of punishments ranging from points deductions, heavy fines, and potentially (but unlikely) relegation. Considering the swiftness with which Everton and Nottingham Forest were given point deductions for singular instances of PSR violations, the punishment for 115 charges could be historic.
But all of that is contingent on the trial reaching a verdict that actually finds City guilty. They are backed by the power of the United Arab Emirates and their deep roster of lawyers that I'm sure is on par, legally, with the caliber of their footballing roster.
It's hard to think that nothing will come of this with the sheer volume of charges. City had already been found guilty of impropriety once by UEFA, but escaped punishment after an appeal. But the undeterred cynic in me expects the massive financial sway of the UAE to get this swept under the rug. It sucks, but money talks, especially when it's coated in crude oil. But we will see. It is only the beginning, and as of now, there is nothing to do but speculate.
What do you all think would be the most fitting punishment? Would you be satisfied with a point deduction, or would nothing short of the proverbial death penalty suffice?
A more Arsenal-specific question: If City are found guilty and their titles are stripped and Arsenal retroactively crowned champions, would that feel vindicating, or would those accolades ring hollow?
Regardless, I've got my popcorn ready.
