Leeds banter 8

27 Sep 2026 07:39:27
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Bournemouth v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

26 Sep 2026 17:17:39
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Bournemouth v Liverpool - A Quick Liverpool Perspective

26 Sep 2026 11:50:24
A Manchester Cityless EPL will surely harm the EPL brand, so I will be surprised if the punishment relegates them. So I think instead the punishment will just hurt City sufficiently to stop them qualifying for the Champions league for the next 3 to 4 seasons unless they win the Champions league this season but assuming they don't the EPL could give them a points deduction of minus 30 points for the next 3 to 4 seasons plus a transfer embargo for each of those seasons and that way they still have a realistic opportunity to avoid relegation as long as most of their superstar players don't leave

The whole thing is a mess though and I wonder if Man. City owners may be banned and forced to sell the club or as others have said try and set up a breakaway league with no spending restrictions to rival the EPL with no Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal or Spurs in it.

26 Sep 2026 12:18:35
Yet even now they saying that they have done nothing wrong. Think they should get the maximum punishment available even,be it relegation out of the football league. IF it was a team called Leeds United then they wouldn't even blink an eye.

For the sake of football's credibility and all the clubs that have suffered punishment at the hands of the football authorities over they year, sorry they have to take the punishment.

26 Sep 2026 13:26:07
I think entertaining cheats will do the EPL far more harm Cheshire.

Wouldn't be surprised if they don't get a subsequent EUFA ban given they were already handed one a few years ago.

26 Sep 2026 13:47:03
As 1970 alluded to below when there were so many more different winning clubs in football pre Sky and EPL, for me this very sorry mess is a massive owngoal for football and it's integrity.

Assuming Citeh lose their appeal.these Citeh UAE owners should be forced to sell up pronto.defo not fit for purpose ownership imo.

26 Sep 2026 14:10:00
They did it with Chelsea owner right. So why not baz.

26 Sep 2026 15:33:36
I disagree I think the sanctions will give them enough of a points deduction that they will be relegated. They can't relegated them directly because EFL is a governing body so they can only effectively relegate them with a relevant points deduction.

That doesn't mean that the EFl couldn't agree to enforce further punishment in consolidation with premier league like starting the next season with -40 or something too.

It's how Leicester tried to wrangle out of their financial failures by saying EFL didn't have jurisdiction so I think they've tightened up at least some of those regulations.

Sporting bodies rely on entertainment when the goings good and integrity when bad. Like Juventus in Calciopoli they had to be relegated and start the next season with -9pts I think (seria A/B/C all one entity so easier enforced there. Or Armstrong and the tour de France.

Once found guilty other clubs won't stand for it if it's too light. Neither will fans. The punishment will need to be proportionate. Id want to see them given a 70 point deduction (guarantees relegation) and if possible a 40 -50 PT for the first champ season making it almost impossible to finish top 8. Means effectively they'll be out of prem for three years at least.

{Ed001's Note - they can expel them from the Prem, they would then have to apply to the EFL for a place. The EFL could choose to make them start at the bottom, the Championship or even refuse their application altogether, which would be hilarious.}

26 Sep 2026 15:35:08
Football's credibility and integrity is at stake here, but I am not holding my breath.

26 Sep 2026 19:23:47
That's a very good Point Ed001.I also like Ealing suggestion give them a point deduction to the tune of 5000 points as a starter.

26 Sep 2026 23:09:22
So Cheshire, you think that a Man City less EPL would harm the EPL brand. Without being too rude, I think that that's absolute bs. Do you really think that so much of that brand value comes from them, and so much less from the other 19 teams? An EPL without Man City would do just fine, their players would all find new homes, the stadium could go back to being a dedicated athletics stadium as it was originally, Sheik Mansour could go back to Qatar, and life for the rest of the football world would go on much as before.

If they are proven guilty and ejected from the EPL, all I'd say is good riddance!

27 Sep 2026 09:02:05
Sorry Cheshire but no club as the right to be in the Premier League regardless of size or stature, we all know if this was Leeds we'd be kicked out of the League, the owners should be made to sell the club there obviously not fit and proper and they've done wrong doing for years by the sound of it.

27 Sep 2026 11:46:46
Whilst I know what I think of their guilt or innocence, we'll have to await a final judgement before deciding their fate. If their guilt is confirmed, they should be immediately expelled from the EPL which should complete the season with 19 teams, and at the end accept 3 promotees from the Championship, but only relegate 2, all lower divisions would need to do likewise.

They would then have to apply to the EFL for admittance, but the EFL should declare their current owners as having failed the Owners and Directors test, and require a change of ownership before they could be admitted. Then and only then would the swamp have been properly cleaned.

27 Sep 2026 13:14:13
That's the point JR; they have been found guilty. An independent panel reviewed the charges [which were made 3 years ago] and decided that the EPL's charges were correct.

Some of them are irrefutable, i. e. did or didn't Man City provide accurate and complete financial reports over 10 years. That is black and white and not subjective.

Any "appeal" I believe will be centred around the punishment rather than the level of guilt, i. e. is the punishment commensurate with the offences.

I know everyone expects this to drag on, but I am not sure, its not in the EPL's or City's interest to take a long time over this, e. g. how to City plan for an alternative revenue stream, if they are no longer in the EPL, what will be their player retention policy be if the same?

City need to know the punishment, in my opinion, as soon as possible, to even form the basis of an appeaal.

It is the EPL who raised these charges and they have been upheld, so again the EPL need to act as soon as possible, otherwise the "damage caused" to the competition only increases day be day. If City could never really have afforded and recruited the players that won them competitions, then every day, that problem continues undermining the competition.

What will be drawn out will be the ultimate ramifications, other clubs seeking damages, players seeking the same etc, but the actual punishment ruling has to happen quick.

There will be a lot of bravado and "fluff" going on in public, but I am pretty sure City and the EPL will be discussing what the outcome is going to be right now.

27 Sep 2026 23:06:40
Not disagreeing with you Ani, you stated the case very succinctly, and as far as you and I and most of the rest of the football world is concerned they're guilty bang to rights, and deserve the maximum level of punishment available.


But, we, they and everyone else cannot finally draw a line under the affair til the appeal has been heard and it's verdict delivered. That's all I meant by "final judgement".

26 Sep 2026 09:52:22
Just thinking back to when we had our troubles - 15 point penalty being the worst part.

I suspect the City situation will be that multiplied by about 10 (it sounds as if it should be!)

I do have a lot of sympathy for the City fans though having been put through the mire ourselves.

Just throwing this in here; if they are punished severely, does that bring up the spectre of a European super league again? Will City with all their money want to languish down in Leagues 1 and 2 for a few seasons with run of the mill players? Or will they say sod this and approach the big boys of Europe (not Spurs) and try to form a league of their own where you can spend what you like, cheat as much as you want and nobody really cares?

26 Sep 2026 10:22:58
Don't think any other English clubs would join a super league really. It was severely opposed.
Think they in the poop though. They will have to accept their punishment. What ever league they go to.

Likely Champ. They will be promoted by Xmas. Keeping their players will be nigh impossible but their reserves good enough. Just need a 100mil fine too. And transfer ban for three windows.

26 Sep 2026 12:20:09
There already is a European Super League, not to mention European Leagues 1 and 2. The EPL has become stale and predicable. The last 33 years of the old division one was won by twice as many different teams than the EPL has been won by. MONEY MONEY MONEY -.

26 Sep 2026 13:21:57
Aus.they wouldn't have the players. Some will leave and they couldn't meet EFL rules with their wage bill.

I don't think its a given thst the EFL would accept them to be honest. Which EFL club wants them challenging them and would vote for it?

26 Sep 2026 15:04:12
Very true 1970.

When we were young, there's was a chance that anyone coukd in the league (although realistically it was probably 6 or 7 teams per season) .

Nowadays its 2 or 3 - usually 2 by the first international break!

26 Sep 2026 17:51:10
I don't feel sorry for their fans
We have all wandered how they get away with that carry on for so long

Even now Gallagher's maintains All the success was won on field

What a ridiculous thing to say from him, they won on field because the boardroom were cheating,

The boardroom is what brings the on field stars to camera Noel

So don't waste your breath trying to justify cheating,because that's what we all called for years

That's why Baldy left,He knew well.

26 Sep 2026 18:46:21
100% Chris.

27 Sep 2026 08:47:11
Super league thats the top of the PL they get away with anything look at Chelsea what ever they did they didn't get much so they should receive the same as they did we may not like it but it happens right or wrong, it's all down to the very people that run the PL they are as bent as Man City.

26 Sep 2026 08:58:04
Says that punishment will be going forward. Not taking cups and titles away. Do fine. Relegation. Transfer inward ban. They will lose their whole team in next two windows. Not allowed to buy any. Might cause a few probs lol.

26 Sep 2026 07:47:48
City can only make an appeal to the Premier League and are not allowed to go to the Court for arbitration in sport (CAS) so that will probably make the situation more difficult for them.

One other factor is "Government" pressure. They've set up an independent regulator to oversee football and I don't think they will want to fall down at the first hurdle.

That might result in more severe sanctions than City might have hoped for as the authorities show they mean business by making an example of City.
One can only hope.

26 Sep 2026 08:55:08
Sounds good dun 👍.

26 Sep 2026 11:07:15
So to firm up the speculation. Anything can happen, anytime and last as long as it takes?

26 Sep 2026 07:39:17
{Ed's Note - Reddevilfan has posted a new article entitled, United Need a Leader, Not Another Nice Guy

25 Sep 2026 15:35:13
Have just seen on the BBC site that Man City have been found guilty of 114 out of 115 charges.

However, they are going to appeal, so that will kick the can down the road for a few more years!

25 Sep 2026 15:42:47
Well paid lawyers to keep it going and going.

25 Sep 2026 16:14:26
On 22 May 2026, Citeh confirmed that Guardiola would leave the club following the final match of the EPL season.

From the official Citeh article, Guardiola mentioned that : " Don't ask me the reasons I'm leaving. There is no reason "

Hmmm
It's more than feasible imo that Pep knew the above decision on 115 charges was coming at beginning of this seez and may well have been a reason for him wanting to leave.

25 Sep 2026 17:26:55
If the majority of the allegations are proved then it will have to be a severe penalty or the authority of the PL will have gone and the standing of the League will be brought into disrepute.


Some other clubs won't stand for it and although there will be appeals they will be on the hook for some of them.
The PL should take a leaf out of the EFL and fine and relegate them.

25 Sep 2026 18:16:14
This could all get very messy.

Imagine the players, who spent their career at City, supposedly won all the trophies and accolades, only to find that their career was a part of cheating sham team that could feasibly be stripped of their titles nd trophies. I can see players suing the life out of City.

25 Sep 2026 18:57:04
It does make you wonder if Guardiola knew what was coming down the line after his exit stage left. It has to be relegation to Conference North, a massive fine, owners banned, all players to be relocated to a Club where or near where they were born with no transfer fees involved!

25 Sep 2026 19:14:00
The other big clubs made it known last year that they would pursue legal action against Man City if they were found guilty.
Football is about many things but basically it has now become just about the money. Man city and others, including Chelsea, have used creative accounting to hide or disguise payments in and out. In addition they have probably been found guilty of not cooperating and breaking fair play rules both in the PL and European competitions.

The denial and lack of cooperation is important because any appeal will not be a negotiation or plea bargain but a gloves off situation where the sanctions could be even more severe because of the lack of contrition.
Rangers were kicked out for far less. Agree with Feath-send them right down the pyramid.

25 Sep 2026 19:20:10
This is probably not yet the end of the story, but my bet is that they'll eventually wriggle out of it somehow or at worst just be given a rap on the knuckles and no significant punishment.
I recommend a £50M fine and relegation to League 2, but hell will freeze over before that's going to happen.

25 Sep 2026 19:23:00
Like your final point Feath, now I wonder who you might be thinking of.🙂.

25 Sep 2026 20:11:09
I also see where you're coming from, Feath, but will get no pleasure in seeing him play for Harrogate Town! 😬🤣.

25 Sep 2026 20:42:51
Not Harrogate Town Bright, it would have to be Farsley Celtic.

25 Sep 2026 21:07:06
It has oft been predicted that Haaland will end his career with a move to Leeds United say in 2033/34 season.

Even with today's developments. its still going to be a lenghty wait to perhaps see him don the famous white jersey.

25 Sep 2026 21:36:57
And nothing will happen forever and a day.

25 Sep 2026 22:04:38

Did someone say this could get messy? No s**** Sherlock.

City are gonna be stripped of a few titles guaranteed. Not to mention being relegated a few divisions.

I feel for the supporters and the players at the time.

25 Sep 2026 23:43:12
Got it in one JR! I have just read City's lawyer is paid £5k per hour!

26 Sep 2026 03:11:43
Wow. Thats crazy money. Realistically they will prob get a fine and relegated down to champ. Be interesting to see if anything happens regarding cups and titles. How far do the 115 cases go back?

26 Sep 2026 07:17:22
2010 Aus. It includes 10 domestic trophies.

It's interesting because the view is that the sanctions and penalties will be announced shortly. It will drag on irrespective. But, with this hanging over them, they will struggle to attract players and are their players now going to seek a way out as soon as possible? Would they want their careers tarnished?

I can see teams, old and new, players ex and current seeking damages.

This isn't as simple as annulling trophies and passing them on to the "runner's up.” It's probable they will annul City's results, which could mean the league table changes dramatically, e. g teams relagated might not have been etc. They cannot hold off employing sanctions because the whole integrity of the league comes into question going forward. If teams are going to launch legal cases, would they even want to fulfil fixtures against City?

Perversely City will want to know their penalties as soon as possible because it's going to be very difficult to run a football club, not knowing whether your playing in a league or not, will have European football or not, have transfer embargo's etc. What players they can buy etc. The EPL needs this resolving as soon as possible.

This could be the start of the EPL unraveling because teams and businesses going forward are going to double down on these methods employed to gain advantage, because City will not have been alone. Less official revenue equates to less to spend, lower and less transfers, lower fees, lower agent fees, less attraction to players.

26 Sep 2026 07:22:32
Covers 2009 to 2018, Aus.

26 Sep 2026 11:12:51
The season has started, so I can't see that relegation is an option, unless its from the end of the season, which would also be daft.
Based on Luton, I'm having a guess at 30 points, transfer ban, and whopping fine!

26 Sep 2026 11:24:01
Good point Ani.
I think the seasons involved will be voided as regards the league winners. Don't believe the second place team will be crowned champions?

26 Sep 2026 13:08:53
You're right about the ludicrous legal fees feath but that's City's mentality. They got off with a technicality with Europe (out of time) but the City chairman said that he'd rather spend £30m on legal fees rather than make any admission of guilt, however minor.
Chelsea cooperated and got off lightly but City haven't so they should get hammered.

26 Sep 2026 15:41:37
Absolutely Dunelm, a massive fine, owners out, transfer ban and relegation to at least division two. Rangers were demoted to the bottom league a few years ago, so why not Citeh?

25 Sep 2026 10:50:20
Just about to watch raphy boy tear Australia apart. Happy days.

25 Sep 2026 12:58:52
1:0 Australia with 5 mins to go, care to revisit your prediction Aus?

25 Sep 2026 13:36:40
Ooops!

As the Duke of Wellington said after the battle of Waterloo, a damn close run thing.

25 Sep 2026 13:36:54
Late goal for Brazil
Pretty good result for the Aussie football team.doing better than the Aussie cricket team.

25 Sep 2026 14:12:18
Oh Baz. Time a ticking. Chappy. At lest you got decent coach and tactics now but no decent players lol.
Raphs mom jr. shame they couldn't smashed em. Aus play a lot like Everton in my eyes. Stifling but boring.

25 Sep 2026 16:35:15
Aus of course England miss legendary all time bowling wicket taking greats Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.

But England imo will beat the Aussies in the forthcoming Ashes.

That's a Baz Guarantee.

25 Sep 2026 19:18:24
England beat the Aussies in the forthcoming Ashes, you're aving a larf Baz.
However bad the Aussies are, England can always be relied upon to find a way to be worse. The words "England" and "Batting Collapse" go together like "peaches and cream". And no test at Headingley either, they're going to Southampton instead.

25 Sep 2026 21:50:22
Keep the faith JR. England will win.

25 Sep 2026 21:07:31
Keep the faith JR.we are going to spank the backsides of dem Aussies.

26 Sep 2026 00:29:23
They'll win the first test, go out to celebrate, get pissed, get into a punch up with night club bouncers, two or three of them have to be dropped for the rest of the series which they'll then lose.

Probably !!!

26 Sep 2026 01:00:31
Lol JR.but hopefully not !

26 Sep 2026 07:24:08
By the time of the next ashes, it will be more than 25 years since the Aussies had won a series in England. I predict that run will go past 30 years!