Fans protest against European Super League

Manchester City fans protest against the European Super League at the 2021 Carabao Cup final, that dissenting spirit is needed again.

“Manchester City fans protest against the European Super League at the 2021 Carabao Cup final, that dissenting spirit is needed again”

Roberto Mancini's role

A mid the hundreds of thousands of words written and spoken about Manchester City being found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League rules, maybe Roberto Mancini’s were the most poignant when he announced it was “not my concern”.

“not my concern”

Mancini's ties to club

He made millions from one of the “sham contracts” and enjoyed his success but his ties to the club started and ended there.

“sham contracts”

Mancini's appointment

The Italian is a microcosm of the modern club, appointed for his expertise and well remunerated for it.

Club's financial breaches

City remain bullish in the face of findings that they are guilty of impressively tawdry financial breaches. Innocence is maintained and there is no contrition, because this is not football, it is business, and the club need their fans to buy into the idea of a “Premier League conspiracy theory” and “irrefutable evidence” supporting their case.

“Premier League conspiracy theory”

Pep Guardiola's role

Pep Guardiola was often City’s auxiliary spokesperson, providing complete faith in everything done higher up the chain, backing the chief executive and chair.

Fans' trust in club

People trust their football clubs more than their life partners, and few want to think ill of them, through good times or bad, instead accepting their many flaws.

City's history of self-sabotage

In a previous epoch, City’s self-sabotage involved not realising what result was required to stay in the Premier League and buying players such as Lee Bradbury for an inflated price.

“Lee Bradbury”

City's current situation

City will explore every avenue to try to overturn this, which is only right if they believe themselves innocent. But any victory will have meaning only if based on evidence, not the use of financial muscle to hire more legal experts in search of a loophole.

Fans' call to action

City need to reflect their history and values by finding people with football expertise who can navigate a tumultuous period and lead them forward with the best interests of the club and wider community at heart.