Etihad threatening to sue. UAE reportedly intimating that UK investment could be pulled. A Prime Minister couching any criticisism. If this sorry saga doesn't convince you that state ownership of football clubs should never be allowed, nothing ever will.

If the guilty verdicts against Manchester City stand then Liverpool will have suffered more than anyone. As well as two title near misses under Jurgen Klopp and the defeat to City in the 2016 League Cup final, there was the 2013-14 title race when Brendan Rodgers’ side were dramatically beaten to the big prize by City. If Manchester City had played by the rules and not possessed such squad depth would Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose cruel slip against Chelsea proved so costly, have got the crowning glory to his career that he craved? The prospect of titles being reallocated seems unlikely. Football is about memories and moments, and they can’t be restored years after the events. The sheer scale of City’s offences provides vindication for FSG, who for so long argued that that the rules weren’t being either properly respected or enforced. But this is no victory. How can it be when you were robbed of so much by financial doping? 📝 @JamesPearceLFC 🔗 nyti.ms/3Th4Opz