Manchester City receive 2 year ban from all EUFA competitions after serious Financial Fair Play violation.
Looks like Manchester City’s dreams of becoming European champions again have been snuffed, at least for the next two years.
Manchester City have been formally banned from competing in any EUFA completion for the next two seasons and have been struck with a AUD$49 million fine after they were found to have deliberately lied to European football’s governing body and broken financial fair play rules.
BBC News reports that Manchester City say they are “disappointed but not surprised” by the “prejudicial” decision and will appeal.
The independent Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) said City had broken the rules by “overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to Uefa between 2012 and 2016”, adding that the club “failed to cooperate in the investigation”.
City could lose Premier League points too
The Independent has reported that City could be penalised in the UK and face a Premier League points deduction because the league’s FFP rules are similar to EUFA’s.
Manchester City banned: Could lose Premiere League points.
The restrictions, bans and penalties will not affect Manchester City’s women’s team.
Official response has been made by MC
Manchester City released an official statement regarding the EUFA ban: “The club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position.
“In December 2018, the Uefa chief investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation had even begun.
“The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked Uefa process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver. The club has formally complained to the Uefa disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling.
Manchester City banned: Will Pep Guardiola resign?
“Simply put, this is a case initiated by Uefa, prosecuted by Uefa and judged by Uefa. With this prejudicial process now over, the club will pursue an impartial judgment as quickly as possible and will therefore, in the first instance, commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity.”
City v Real Madrid cancelled
City were initially drawn to face Real Madrid in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League, with the first leg to be played on 26 February at the Bernabeu.
La Liga President Javier Tebas praised EUFA for “finally taking decisive action”.
“Enforcing the rules of financial fair play and punishing financial doping is essential for the future of football,” he said.
Will Pep Guardiola be fired or resign as manager?
Will Guardiola resign? Although Guardiola is not responsible for the EUFA Financial Fair Play violation there is a chance, despite claiming he would stay the duration of his contract which is set to expire in 2021, that he may choose to move on.
Now that the European football is not on the cards for Manchester City for the next two years, Guardiola may seek greener pastures and abandon the disgraced club.
What are your thoughts on EUFA’s decision to ban Manchester City for two whole years from any European competition? Fair or foul play? Let us know in the comments below.