After being accused of breaking UEFA’s financial fair play rules, Manchester City will have their appeal heard by TAS in early June. Previously, the Sport’s Arbitration Court had already said that it had received a response from the British about the exclusion, rebutting the decision of the Club Financial Control Commission (ICFC).
The decision was made due to the club being accused of overvaluing the value received from their sponsors between 2012 and 2016. With the European ban, Man City’s loss could reach a total of up to 100 million euros a year, which would probably change the plans of the team considerably.
The financial damage is not the only one for the Citizens if they can’t overturn the decision. The technical side would also be affected, once some important players could leave the team. The first departure that is speculated is of the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, once the midfielder has already declared he can rethink his future depending on this final decision.
The Belgian said that he trusts the club and that he is waiting for the final call. He added that, if they stay out of European Competitions for just a year, he can wait. Two years, however, is too long according to the player and he would probably leave if that happened.
Meanwhile, manager Pep Guardiola has denied speculation that he could leave with the exclusion, his contract runs until 2021 and he intends to fulfill the contract regardless of the definition taken by TAS. He said that he loved the club and felt good there, so there were no reasons for him to leave.
Therefore, the decision that will be analyzed between the 8th and the 10th of June will reflect directly in the future of the club, since the main goal of Man City is to conquer their first UEFA Champions League. So, the exclusion would considerably delay their plans.