We had an independent commission investigation apparently but the real trial was done in the media suggesting we should be chucked out and it has most definitely influenced the decision.
Its like saying something to a jury and then the judge saying "disregard that comment " It's been heard so its in the heads.
The same has happened in this case and repeated over and over by the media from smoggie rags, national rags, BBC, sky etc and got in everyones heads.
If this had not happened the punishment would not have been so ridiculously harsh.
That said we should have been all over the media as well trying to influence it all