@migueldelaney.bsky.social
Chief football writer at the Independent. Author of 'States of Play'
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialA freak show that emphasised the farce of the Premier League's current unreality
The response of City fans, which does complicate some of the discussion
I think they are "victims" but that's harder when you're revelling in it (before the win)
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialSunday is one of the most significant games in Premier League history and it sums up an era that the football feels secondary
A game still needs to be played, though, and it has questions of its own
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialIt will be after this is concluded - which could yet be some time!
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialThere is also an importance in the City case to ultimately separate the leadership/ownership from the club, which is a piece of valuable cultural infrastructure that does warrant protection
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialThe anticipated timescale of the various stages of the Manchester City case now
And some of the key issues around the appeal
@petergeoghegan.bsky.socialReposted by @migueldelaney.bsky.socialOh wow 7k people have watched my interview with @migueldelaney.bsky.social since this morning
It’s definitely worth a watch! youtube.com/playlist?lis...
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialAlso in my newsletter
City should have been punished for breaches in 2014. It was Gianni Infantino's craven approach - as revealed in football leaks and his approach to Trump - that let them off. This entire story could have been stopped then
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialMy newsletter today:
- the wide-ranging reaction to City, from laughter in dressing rooms to debate over who could vote for expulsion
- amid focus on an Abu Dhabi asset, Qatar have increased influence over European - and now world - football
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialThis entire City story - and especially the last stories of Etihad, Burnham and Khaldoon’s diplomatic immunity - crystallises why states and state actors should not be allowed own clubs
The longer it goes, the more chaotic it gets
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialCould this be the Premier League's Caliopoli, in terms of damaging its global hegemony?
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialJust as the Premier League has one huge long-awaited outcome, it is typical of this case that another layer of problems spool out
This season could be a farce
“Every game now has an asterisk.”
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialNew Copa Independent podcast, with @lawrenceostlere
The great Manchester City sham
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialVideo piece on today's Manchester City decision
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialThe most hard-hitting language, which surely means Manchester City must face the hardest-hitting sanctions
Expulsion, and the independent football regulator looking at a forced sale
Given the stridency, can normal football business even go on?
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialCity have until 2 October to appeal One conclusion from the decision reads: "that certain of those factual witnesses had given evidence at the hearing that they knew to be untrue and so had been dishonest."
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialThe long 8 years of City case offer huge clues for what
- instant response was to try insulate chairman Khaldoon
- Qs over CAS
- PL chair Alison Brittain drove it, feeling PL couldn't sit on evidence
- club dismissive of case in summer transfer talks
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialIt's usually at this stage of this saga there are all sorts of debates and myths about the rules
And they are myths for a reason: most are incorrect
They were devised by Uefa technocrats concerned players were going unpaid
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialFootball doesn't need extra owner investment. It generates tonnes
What it needs is proper redistribution of money. That is the "status quo" behaviour, not the rules
But thinking about serves the wider game not just one or two clubs with wealthy owners
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialCity chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak was the first individual involved in the case to speak with his letter, and some in geopolitical circles recognised the tone
His very presence at City this speaks to the dimensions of this story
@migueldelaney.bsky.socialExclusive: successful legal actions over City case could be worth over £200m to clubs who make claims - only four preserved "right to sue" under Section W
Was initially Arsenal, who are understood to have been followed by Spurs, Man United and Liverpool
