An article by a famous Russian analyst.
I translated it through a translator.
I really want the verdict on City and FFP to remain in force, but the likelihood of this is minimal. I see the City three trump cards before the appeal to the CAS.
First, sponsorship deals with owners are the norm. Even the crystal clear Bayern and Juventus receive money in this way. Everything rests on the "fair value of the transaction" (fair value).
In theory there are clear criteria for determining this value. In theory everything is simple: UEFA, through an audit company determines it takes away the unfair premium and updates the financial report. In practice there is tremendous room for maneuver through choosing the right company.
This has become a key factor in the case against PSG. UEFA chose Octagon, which estimated the fair value of the PSG sponsorship contract to be less than 5 million euros per year. PSG in response hired Nielsen, which received a figure as close as possible to that specified in the real contract.
Then a miracle happened: UEFA simply believed in Nielsen's analysis. This decision caused controversy even inside UEFA, but PSG managed to get off. Likely motive? The Paris-based QSI also owns the beIN Sport channel, which pays UEFA for the rights to the Champions League and Euro 2020 (more than 300 million euros per year). Nobody was going to curse seriously.
But a precedent has been created, which brings us to the second key point. What is the name of the person who conducted the investigation and agreed with the assessment of PSG at the right time? Yves Leterm. Who runs the City business? Yves Leterm. City does not have similar pressure mechanisms, but it will be especially easy to wet it for inconsistency.
Thirdly, as we know from the merged documents, City really did a bunch of all the vile (and probably illegal) - from the scheme of paying extra salaries to Roberto Mancini through a club from the UAE to manipulating the image rights of players.
That's just in the official UEFA statement none of this is mentioned. Only sponsored contracts that are easy to beat off especially after the Paris affair.
It seems that we are waiting for a football analogue of the situation with Al Capone which they could only land for tax evasion. Understanding that City is breaking the rules and just acting nasty is one thing. To prove this in court is another. Unfortunately with the current allegations the chances of UEFA are not very high.
And yes: UEFA for any CAS solution in losers. Either in the literal sense, or in the case of a formal victory due to the wildest inconsistency in PSG and Man City.
