Wonder how this will affect team morale over at their pit? Their players haven't "cheated" in the way they have played, or by match fixing; but they're well aware that a fair chunk of their wages comes via "off the book" sources.
Apart from the fact they should be very nervous about being investigated individually, they all know they probably wouldn't be there but for Abu Dhabi's billions.
As for AD selling up, I'm not sure how that would stack up. It's clearly a loss making venture that will collapse immediately if the financial plug is pulled.
And what about the hedge fund that paid out $500m for a 10% stake? Their investment just took a hell of a battering. They either knew about this and were okay with it, or got conned by the same books City passed to the Premier League and UEFA. Either way no hedge fund likes financial scrutiny so this will invite some rather unpleasant attention for them.
Only way a sellup works is through a phased financial withdrawal, like getting off heroin. Fire sale on players - we'd have to assume they'd be happy to take a pay cut if they can get out of the UK before the taxman starts lurking; gradual reduction of sponsorship money over, perhaps, five years. Selling the club for a quid to whichever shark fancies breaking it up for a profit will shred the club to pieces.
It's little wonder their fans are going ape. They nailed their colours to the mast a long time ago, and their deepest fear is a return to obscurity. They'll be going Full Alamo - at least the online brigade will.
It's just good that the PR offensive in this country about poor, picked on City wont affect the CAS judgement. And if CAS finds against them, will this independent body that Abu Dhabi have pinned their hopes on suddenly become a racist, corrupt, agenda driven part of the conspiracy as well?
