On the third day after the Manchester derby, Manchester United Club Chairman Rowe was in the chairman's office on the top floor of the first floor of the Carrington training base, accepting an exclusive interview with Keith Bradsher, chief reporter of the London branch of the world-renowned financial media "Wall Street Journal". His expression was serious and firm, and he was well aware of the importance and influence of this interview.
Keith Bradsher: "President Rowley, thank you for taking the time to accept our interview. First of all, I would like to ask you to talk about the referee's misjudgment of the team in the Manchester derby that just passed, which caused quite a stir in the football world." Rowley took a deep breath and said slowly: "This is a sad and angry experience. In that derby, our players went all out on the field, showing tenacious fighting spirit and superb skills. However, a series of misjudgments by the referee seriously affected the result and fairness of the game." His eyes revealed a trace of helplessness and disappointment, "For example, in the 85th minute of the game, Manchester City's Aguero made an obvious elbow to our player Ashraf, which was an extremely bad foul and could cause serious harm to the player's body. But the referee turned a blind eye and did not make any penalty. This not only caused Ashraf to suffer unfair treatment, but also destroyed the fair competition environment that the game should have." Rowley paused, drank a sip of water, and continued: "And the 88th minute In the crucial goal in the minute, Aguero was clearly offside, but the referee failed to make the correct judgment and let the goal take effect. This directly changed the trend of the game. We were expected to get all three points, but because of these misjudgments, we could only accept an unfair result. "
Keith Bradsher: "So, what measures does Manchester United plan to take in this situation?"
Luo Lie answered firmly: "We have filed a formal complaint with the Premier League, requesting a comprehensive review of the referee's penalty in this game. We hope to get a fair and transparent investigation result to give justice to our players and fans. At the same time, we also call on the Premier League to strengthen the training and management of referees, improve the level of referee enforcement, and avoid similar tragedies from happening again. "
Keith Bradsher: "In addition to the referee's misjudgment, there are also some doubts about Manchester City's financial fair policy. What do you think about this?" Luo Lie frowned and said seriously: "Manchester City has invested heavily in the transfer market in recent years, which has attracted a lot of attention. The original intention of the financial fair policy is to ensure that all clubs compete in a relatively fair environment and avoid some clubs from breaking the balance through excessive capital investment. However, some of Manchester City's operations seem to violate the spirit of this policy. Look at their performance in the transfer market. They have spent a lot of money to introduce many top stars, and their salaries are also surprisingly high. This is not just a simple business operation. What is reflected behind it is the disregard or clever avoidance of the financial fair policy. Their behavior has undoubtedly brought a huge impact on the entire football ecosystem. This excessive investment has put some clubs that originally relied on their own youth training system and stable operation at a disadvantage in the competition. Excellent players are attracted by high salaries and transfer fees and flock to Manchester City, resulting in an extremely unbalanced resource distribution. Moreover, some operations of Manchester City in commercial sponsorship are also questionable. The authenticity and rationality behind some seemingly huge sponsorship contracts are worth further investigation. This abnormal business operation model provides them with more sources of funds, further exacerbating the unfairness of competition.
He shook his head slightly, "More importantly, if this behavior that violates the financial fair policy is not stopped and corrected, it will bring serious hidden dangers to the long-term development of the entire league. Other clubs may blindly follow suit and increase investment in order to compete, thus falling into a financial crisis. This is extremely detrimental to the healthy development of English football.
We need a fair, transparent and orderly competition environment so that every club can strive for honors under the same rules with its own strength and management level. Only in this way can English football maintain its charm and competitiveness, cultivate more outstanding players, and make greater contributions to world football. And some of Manchester City Club's current practices are obviously contrary to this goal."
Keith Bradsher: "What impact do you think this will have on the investment environment of English football?"
Luo Lie pondered for a moment and said: "This situation makes the investment environment in EnglandThe investment environment has become more complex and unstable. On the one hand, a large amount of money has poured into the football field, which seems to be prosperous, but without effective supervision and fair competition mechanisms, it may lead to excessive concentration and waste of resources. On the other hand, for those investors who really want to build clubs through reasonable management and sustainable development, they may be disappointed and frustrated because their efforts may be overshadowed by some clubs that violate the rules. "
Keith Bradsher: "There are rumors that Manchester United has also been influenced by Qatari capital. Can you respond to this?"
Luo Lie smiled and said: "This is completely nonsense. Manchester United has always adhered to the independent business philosophy. We welcome legal and compliant investments, but we will never be coerced by any external capital. Our goal is to achieve long-term development and stability of the club through our own efforts and correct decisions. "
Reporter: "So, what are your expectations and suggestions for the future development of English football?"
Luo Lie looked into the distance with a firm gaze and said: "I hope the Premier League can strengthen supervision to ensure that all clubs strictly abide by the financial fair policy and create a fair, healthy and sustainable competition environment. At the same time, we also hope to strengthen the training and evaluation of referees to improve the fairness and viewing quality of the game. Only in this way can English football continue to improve and continue to maintain its leading position in the world football. ”
At the end of the interview, Luo Lie stood up and said to reporter Keith Bradsher shook hands and said goodbye. His words and attitude undoubtedly sent a clear signal to the outside world: Manchester United will firmly safeguard its own rights and interests and work for fairness and justice in football.
As this interview was published in a prominent position in the Wall Street Journal, non-Middle Eastern capital, especially Wall Street capital, expressed concern about the recent experience of Manchester United Club, which is listed as a holding company, and doubted the overall investment environment in the UK. On that day, the yield of the UK's 10-year government bonds fluctuated violently, which attracted the attention of the UK's sovereign investment department.
That night, No. 10 Downing Street urgently summoned the British Minister of Sports.
On the second day, the English Football Association punished some violators in the Premier League Manchester Derby:
Manchester United coach Mourinho was fined 15,000 pounds for misconduct, but the red card penalty was revoked in consideration of the actual situation on the scene;
Manchester City player Aguero elbowed Hitting Manchester United player Ashraf, seriously violating sports ethics, suspended for four games and fined 50,000 pounds;
The referee on duty: Anthony Taylor, suspended for three games, fined 20,000 pounds; assistant referees: Gary Beswick, Stuart Butt, suspended for two games, fined 10,000 pounds; and reported to the English Professional League Referee Committee to deduct the corresponding points.
However, the English Football Association chose not to respond to the financial problems of Manchester City Club. But this approach of avoiding the main issue completely angered the other four clubs of the Premier League Big6; they stood up to support Manchester United and jointly expressed concern and doubts about Manchester City's financial situation.
Chelsea Club took the lead in expressing its position. Its CEO Ron Gourlay said bluntly at the press conference: "We have noticed the questions raised by Manchester United about Manchester City's finances. This is not a concern of one club. For a long time, Manchester City has spent a lot of money in the transfer market, which has seriously tilted the balance of competition. We support Manchester United's position and must conduct an in-depth investigation into Manchester City's finances to ensure the fairness of the league. ”
Arsenal’s management also issued a statement: “The Premier League has always emphasized fair competition, but Manchester City’s financial operations have challenged this fairness. Like Manchester United, we look forward to a transparent and fair investigation result and a fair environment for all clubs.”
Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said in an interview: “Football should be a contest based on strength and strategy, not a game of money. If Manchester City’s financial problems are not resolved, many hard-working clubs will be disappointed and helpless. We support Manchester United and demand a thorough review of Manchester City’s finances.”
Tottenham Hotspur also joined this camp, and its chairman Daniel Levy said on social media: “Our players are fighting hard on the court, but they are facing an unfair competitive environment. Manchester City’s financial problems must be solved, and we stand with Manchester United.”
For a time, the entire Premier League set off a wave of condemnation of Manchester City’s financial problems. The clubs united and worked together to maintain the fairness and healthy development of the league.
Major clubs far away in continental Europe also spoke out, supporting Manchester United and pointing the finger at Manchester City.In Madrid, Real Madrid President Florentino said grimly at the club's press conference: "We feel the same as Manchester United. Manchester City's financial operations have seriously damaged the balance of the football world. We at Real Madrid firmly support Manchester United and demand a thorough investigation of Manchester City's financial situation to restore a fair competitive environment for football."
In Barcelona, Barcelona's top management also expressed their position. "The charm of football lies in fair competition. Manchester City's financial problems have threatened this principle. We stand with Manchester United and call on relevant institutions to take action to maintain the purity of football."
In Germany, Bayern Munich Club also has a firm attitude. Its sports director Rummenigge said: "Manchester City's financial behavior is unacceptable, which poses a threat to the healthy development of the entire football world. We support Manchester United and hope that the problem can be properly resolved."
For Inter Milan, the club chairman spoke fiercely: "We have always been committed to developing the club in a fair environment. Manchester City's financial problems must be faced and resolved. Manchester United is not fighting alone, Inter Milan fully supports them."
The statement of Juventus Club reads: "Football should not be distorted by money. Manchester City's financial situation is worrying. We support Manchester United and demand the restoration of fairness and justice in the football world."
AC Milan also joined the condemnation. "As a traditional football giant, we are well aware of the importance of fairness. Manchester City's financial problems cannot be ignored. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Manchester United and call for the future of football."
The support of these clubs is like the sound of war drums, making the crusade against Manchester City's financial problems more intense, and the entire football world is waiting for a fair result.
As the entire European football world was in an uproar over Manchester City's financial problems, the UEFA Executive Committee held an emergency meeting in Dublin. After a long discussion and deliberation, the delegates finally reached a unanimous decision.
UEFA President Alexander Ceferin stood on the podium and announced to the world with a serious look: "In view of the recent numerous allegations and related evidence that Manchester City Club may have violated the Financial Fair Play Act, UEFA has decided to launch a disciplinary investigation into Manchester City Club. The fairness and healthy development of football is our top priority, and any violation of the rules will be strictly reviewed and dealt with."
The news spread to every corner of the world in an instant, and major media reported it at the first time. Fans launched a heated discussion on the Internet. Some applauded and believed that this was a necessary measure to maintain football fairness; others took a wait-and-see attitude and waited for the results of the investigation.
After learning of the news, Manchester City Club quickly issued a strongly worded statement. "Manchester City is very surprised and disappointed by UEFA's decision to launch a disciplinary investigation. We have always strictly complied with various financial regulations and operated in accordance with relevant requirements. We firmly believe that the club's financial operations are compliant and transparent, and this investigation is unfounded. Manchester City will fully cooperate with the investigation to prove our innocence and look forward to clarifying these false accusations as soon as possible."
Other clubs and relevant people in the football industry have also expressed their views. Manchester United Club welcomed UEFA's decision and believed that justice will eventually come. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Dortmund, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Roma, Atletico Madrid and other clubs have expressed their appreciation and support for UEFA's decision;
Other Premier League clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, etc. have also stated that this is an important step for the healthy development of European football, and urged the FA and the Premier League to launch an internal investigation to further purify the Premier League environment. For a time, the FA faced huge public pressure.
Under pressure from all sides, the top executives of the English Football Association held an emergency discussion on the night when UEFA announced the launch of a disciplinary investigation into Manchester City's violation of the Financial Fair Play Act, and finally decided to launch an internal investigation into Manchester City's financial problems.
Greg Clarke, vice president of FIFA, chairman of the English Football Association, and chairman of the English Football League, stood solemnly on the podium in the press conference room, speaking in a low and powerful voice: "In view of the many recent doubts and related circumstances about the financial situation of Manchester City Club, the English Football Association has decided to launch an internal investigation procedure. We have an unshirkable responsibility for the fair and healthy development of football, and we must ensure that every club operates within a compliant framework."
This news was like a bombshell, instantly causing an uproar in the British football world. The media flocked to report this major event.
After receiving the decision of the English Football Association, Manchester City Club fell into a state of confusion.Amid the chaos and tension, the club's management held an emergency meeting to discuss response strategies. Later, Manchester City issued a statement: "Manchester City Club respects the decision of the English Football Association, but we firmly believe that the club's financial operations are legal and standardized. We will fully cooperate with the English Football Association's investigation and look forward to clearing up these misunderstandings as soon as possible."
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