Birmingham City deducted nine points for EFL profitability and sustainability rule breaches.

It will be interesting to see if other EFL clubs receive the same or similar punishments.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47667742

Sounds like a familiar story...

The EFL said Blues incurred losses of nearly £48.8m between 2015 and 2018.

That is almost £10m more than the accepted adjusted losses of £39m over a three-year period.

(...)

In January, Blues revealed a £37.5m loss in the 12 months to the end of June 2018, largely a result of their wage bill rising from £22m to almost £38m after an extensive recruitment drive in 2017.

The independent panel heard that they spent £7.45m on four new players in January 2017, when Gianfranco Zola was manager, and a further £23.75m to add 14 players to the squad that summer, by which time Harry Redknapp had taken charge.

Sutton United getting smashed 3-0 away to Chesterfield. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47693518

Nike has been fined by the European Commission for restricting the cross-border sale of goods carrying the logos of some of Europe's top football clubs.

The €12.5m (£10.7m) fine concerns merchandise such as mugs, bed sheets and stationery, which carries the brand of the club, but not Nike's trademark.

Manchester United and Barcelona goods were among those affected.

The commission found Nike restricted firms who made and sold the products from selling them across borders.

"Football fans often cherish branded products from their favourite teams," said competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

"Nike prevented many of its licensees from selling these branded products in a different country leading to less choice and higher prices for consumers."

As well as Manchester United and Barcelona, the commission said products bearing the brands of Juventus, Inter Milan and AS Roma were also affected, as well as national federations like the French Football Federation.

The illegal practices occurred between 2004 to 2017, the commission said.

• Puma ousts Nike in Man City kit deal

Nike received a 40% discount on its fine for co-operating with the investigation.

"Nike co-operated with the commission beyond its legal obligation to do so, in particular by providing the commission with information that allowed it to extend the scope of the case," the commission said.

"As a result, the investigation included ancillary sport merchandise of a number of additional clubs."

I like Raheem Sterling. 

I admire how outspoken he's been against racism. So easy for players (and can't blame them for doing it) to go with the "get your head down and get on with it" mindset. But Sterling has used his platform to speak out against racism consistently in a way I don't think I've seen a player do before. 

 

Cardiff set to refuse to pay Nantes for Sala saying that the contract became null and void following his death. 

Cardiff have acted pretty appallingly following Sala's death. Consistently refused to accept any responsibility for his death (if I've just agreed to pay £15m for a player I'd be wanting to ensure his safety at all times not leaving it up to him and his agent to make last minute travel arrangements) or morally conducted themselves well. 

I'd be embarrassed about my club if I were a Cardiff supporter, shocking behaviour from them, relegation is the least they deserve.  

6 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

I like Raheem Sterling. 

I admire how outspoken he's been against racism. So easy for players (and can't blame them for doing it) to go with the "get your head down and get on with it" mindset. But Sterling has used his platform to speak out against racism consistently in a way I don't think I've seen a player do before. 

 

He’s returning from international duty with a sparkling rear end after the media have licked his arsehole nice and clean. 

Amazing the turn around of their attitude towards him since he called them out. 

On 25/03/2019 at 17:04, Boyne said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47693518

Nike has been fined by the European Commission for restricting the cross-border sale of goods carrying the logos of some of Europe's top football clubs.

The €12.5m (£10.7m) fine concerns merchandise such as mugs, bed sheets and stationery, which carries the brand of the club, but not Nike's trademark.

Manchester United and Barcelona goods were among those affected.

The commission found Nike restricted firms who made and sold the products from selling them across borders.

"Football fans often cherish branded products from their favourite teams," said competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

"Nike prevented many of its licensees from selling these branded products in a different country leading to less choice and higher prices for consumers."

As well as Manchester United and Barcelona, the commission said products bearing the brands of Juventus, Inter Milan and AS Roma were also affected, as well as national federations like the French Football Federation.

The illegal practices occurred between 2004 to 2017, the commission said.

• Puma ousts Nike in Man City kit deal

Nike received a 40% discount on its fine for co-operating with the investigation.

"Nike co-operated with the commission beyond its legal obligation to do so, in particular by providing the commission with information that allowed it to extend the scope of the case," the commission said.

"As a result, the investigation included ancillary sport merchandise of a number of additional clubs."

Really? They got a 40% discount on their fine because...they were co-operating with the investigation?
 

To me that's pretty much saying - "They paid a bit to some people in the European Commission so they got a lesser fine."

Fascinating article about De Gaal's time at Utd:

short excerpt -

"It is not true," he argues. "You say it was boring. Why was it boring? Maybe it was boring-attacking but that was because the opponent parked the bus. Then you have to play at a higher tempo, which is difficult. Then you have to see what kind of players you have.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47704834

Bayern Munich have signed Lucas Hernandez from Atlético Madrid for a club record €80m (£68m).

That's on top of the £30m they've already agreed to sign Pavard from Stuttgart. 

Bayern not f**king about trying to rectify what for them has been an underwhelming season.... Should brace ourselves for them to go big for CHO in the summer. 

Hate Aguerro when he plays against us - especially the run-ins with David Luiz. But love him as a footballer and WHAT a finish.

If only we had signed him when we had the chance..................

Hate Aguerro when he plays against us - especially the run-ins with David Luiz. But love him as a footballer and WHAT a finish.

If only we had signed him when we had the chance..................

On 28/03/2019 at 09:54, ForeverCarefree said:

Bayern Munich have signed Lucas Hernandez from Atlético Madrid for a club record €80m (£68m).

That's on top of the £30m they've already agreed to sign Pavard from Stuttgart. 

Bayern not f**king about trying to rectify what for them has been an underwhelming season.... Should brace ourselves for them to go big for CHO in the summer. 

I see Bayern have a different transfer window to the rest of Europe.

1 hour ago, Nibs said:

Hate Aguerro when he plays against us - especially the run-ins with David Luiz. But love him as a footballer and WHAT a finish.

If only we had signed him when we had the chance..................

He actually survived 0 suspensions over that, even the second time I believe. 

I just can't like him for those two incidents, total c**t when things aren't going his way. 

So City win as expected against Fulham and Spurs are away to Liverpool tomorrow.

Liverpool will be desperate to win that to keep pace with City.

We need our boys to step against Cardiff and close that gap against Spurs to a point. 

f**king ref is giving nothing to watford 

Chelsea connections doing well today, Derby 4-1 up and Villa a goal up thanks to Abraham. Southgate watching Abraham today.

manure just defends and counter

and manure being absolute sh*t in the 2nd scores and wins

lol,only 3 minutes

if it was reverse manure would be given min 5 minutes

Edited March 30, 20197 yr by mojo

messi makes it look so easy

If Tottenham lose then we're potentially one result away from overtaking them, although it puts Liverpool back at the top of the league. I think City will catch them with their games in hand so I've got to root for Liverpool, but still, it's not something I'm entirely comfortable with.

Watching us earlier and watching this game is like night and day....no reason why we can't play like either of these two.......oh yeah we have Sarri..

We beat spurs