On Friday afternoon UEFA announced the banning of Manchester City from any European competition – UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Europa League -, for two seasons. The European entity stated that the punishment is due to the non-compliance and fraud in the rules of financial fair play. In addition to the ban, Citizens were also fined 30 million euros.
That’s shocking news for Manchester City, and the consequences from this fact can make unimaginable damage in the club’s perspective for the future. But how exactly this financial fair play scandal came out?
After documents were leaked by German magazine Der Spiegel, a lawsuit was filed at UEFA in November 2018. As a result, the club was guilty of falsely inflating its sponsorship values. Thus, the result released by the confederation on Friday showed that the entity declared the ban of the English club of the Champions League for two editions – starting in the 2020-21 season, which means that the Citizens can still play the current edition of the UCL.
With that said, it’s all or nothing for Man City against Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16. To make things even worse for the Cityzens… Real Madrid seems to have improved and is playing quite decently lately – despite the King’s Cup elimination at home to Real Sociedad-.
In addition to the two-year ban, City will also have to pay a €30 million fine. The decision is subject to an appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) – in Switzerland – which basically means that there is still a remote chance for them to escape the ban imposed by UEFA. But it’s highly unlike though.
As the Citizens occupy the 2nd place in the English Premier League, thus in the qualifying zone for the next Champions League, apparently the 5th placed will take their spot in the next UCL. If this is confirmed by UEFA, then, it would be Sheffield United at the moment.
However, there are several claims coming from England that the Cityzens are also at the aim of the FFP – England’s entity – and can face points deduction in the current season in the Premier League.
That’s absolutely mad. Despite some say that money talks, there’s apparently justice for everyone in the world of football. Let’s see the final outcome though.