Manchester City has been found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League rules, with an independent commission concluding the club circumnavigated regulations. The verdict found that the club accommodated former manager Roberto Mancini at great expense in a manner that involved "sham contracts" and strategies to disguise funding sources.
City maintains its innocence and has expressed no contrition, with the club reportedly seeking to have fans believe in a "Premier League conspiracy theory" and "irrefutable evidence" supporting their case. The club plans to explore every avenue to try to overturn the findings.
The commission deemed that witnesses provided false accounts. The Independent Football Regulator may test its strength in such matters, with powers including the right to force a sale.
City's next Premier League game is at Anfield a week from Sunday, providing time for travelling fans to discuss the situation. Supporters are encouraged not to blindly back the owners now, with the article suggesting that if the worst punishments are meted out, fans will pay the heaviest price.