If bankruptcy is imminent, you're generally not allowed to show preference to a particular creditor right before a bankruptcy process. It depends on the jurisdi

If bankruptcy is imminent, you're generally not allowed to show preference to a particular creditor right before a bankruptcy process. It depends on the jurisdiction, but in many countries the other creditors can petition the court to claw back the payment and put it back in the pot of assets so it gets fairly distributed. Obviously, if Softbank was the only creditor first in line it wouldn't be an issue, but if there are other creditors with equal seniority they would be rightfully upset. I can't read the FT article behind the paywall though, so I don't know which case applies here.