Show Notes
It won’t surprise you to hear that today’s show will be focused completely on the guilty verdict handed down to Manchester City last Friday. Firstly, there have been many of you who have been relentlessly calling for us to do a show on this since it broke. We explain why we didn’t jump straight on at the start of today’s episode, and I am pleased that we did hold off and can come to you with a more complete set of thoughts and information. Secondly, it is the size of this story and the potential ramifications both in football and beyond that make it so important to cover properly. There is a lot of emotion flying around, as there always is in sport, and at the end of all this I think I can speak for many in saying that this is not something to gloat over, to celebrate, to enjoy. This country’s greatest export is Premier League football. What happens in the coming weeks will determine whether the product can both deliver a punishment that befits the crime and acts as deterrent while also protecting the interests of everyone involved in the game who calls it work or gives their everything as fan. So let’s get into it. This is our take on the Manchester City case on The Breakdown.
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More from Business of Sport
In what is virtually a Man City free show this week, we were reminded of how much is still going on in the world of sport. It’s a week where a number of topics we’ve covered over the last few months seem to have had major developments, from the WTA to LIV 2.0’s most recent deadline to what looks like the recovery of Gianni Infantino. Add to this a proper look at what is happening in French football as the business struggles continue to blight the league, and a look at whether trouble could be hitting Italy next, and we have ourselves a breakdown.
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What a week it was last week. Man City’s very well publicised indiscretions will once again be looked at as we question the grounds for appeal and take a look at the role of the Premier League in securing this verdict, while also taking a peak across the pond as the LA Clippers come to terms with a very strong set of sanctions for 113 less guilty charges charges, albeit one serious one. Add to this yet more chaos at Celtic as fans pelt their main shareholder with tennis balls on a golf course, the claims from LIV 2.0 that teams are going to be worth $100m, and the revelation that despite being in serious financial trouble, the WTA are increasing their prize money, and we have ourselves a breakdown.