Paddy Power and Joe Cole have put their own unique spin on the coverage of Manchester City’s ongoing legal fight.
Yesterday (16 September), a court hearing began at the International Dispute Resolution Centre that will decide if the current Premier League champions are guilty of breaching the league’s financial rules. Dubbed ‘the trial of the century’, City will dispute the 115 charges levied against them, led by Lord Pannick KC.
In the two-minute video released on Paddy Power’s social media channels, the Irish-based firm has created mock coverage of the trial that resembles that of a football game.
The hearing into 115 charges is underway, and the fate of Man City lies with their superstar legal team…
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2024
#115Charges pic.twitter.com/3MZIdHU4Gq
Aspects of football parodied include a team of lawyers getting off a team bus surrounded by cheering fans, pre-trial coverage of the legal counsel lineup and a ‘Legal Eagle Podcast’ special edition debating whether Lord Pannick will be the GOAT (greatest of all time) if he wins the case.
The video also repeatedly cuts back to the Paddy Power studio where the presenter is joined by Cole to break down the latest developments, such as discussing the fact that after the second day of the trial City are facing an xC (expected charges) of 55.
Tongue-in-cheek, Paddy Power stated on its news website: “Non-City fans are salivating over what draconian punishment could be handed down to the Premier League champions from points deductions, relegation to the North West Counties League and even the potential of Guardiola working the ticket barriers at Old Trafford.
“Frankly no one’s got a clue what will happen, other than Everton getting another points deduction for some reason.”
Paddy Power also released a picture on X, formerly Twitter, of the ‘Manchester City Legal team 2024/25’ which featured eleven individuals dressed as barristers complete with hats and gowns in front of the Etihad Stadium, City’s home ground.
The traditional team photo ahead of Manchester City’s biggest test of the season.#115Charges pic.twitter.com/lKc5JnvLDF
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2024
The Flutter-owned firm is known for utilising comedy as part of its social media strategy. For example, during this summer’s European Championships its marketing team released a series of videos mocking the relative fortunes of each of the home nations.
This style also translates into Paddy Power’s trading. Recent activity saw the firm paid out on all outright bets for Everton to be relegated following the team’s poor start to the season and for Celtic to be crowned Scottish Premier League champions after just one round of fixtures.
