Manchester City banned from Champions League for two years

Manchester City banned for two years from Champions League competition after breach of FFP.

Manchester City is being used to make an example from UEFA as the European governing soccer body has issued a two-year ban to the English champions. The ban comes after UEFA found the club in violation of their Financial Fair Play rules.

Part of UEFA’s ruling stated,

"“The Adjudicatory Chamber, having considered all the evidence, has found that Manchester City Football Club committed serious breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations by overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.”"

The investigation came about after claims made by German outlet Der Spiegel following information from the Football Leaks hack. In addition to the ban, City were also hit with a €30 million fine.

Unsurprisingly, ESPN report that Manchester City gave all the intention to appeal the ruling. When they do so, it will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

City released a statement reacting to their ban which said,

"“Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by today’s announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber. 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.”"

City came out strong and in no uncertain terms accused UEFA of being biased because the case, investigation and ruling were all handed out by UEFA. They called the whole thing a “prejudicial process” and their intention to take the case to CAS.

CAS could reduce the ban to just one year but being banned from the Champions League for even one season is humiliating for a club who has spent so much to try to become one of the elite teams in Europe. Not only did they splash the cash on players but on Pep Guardiola as well. Since Pep’s arrival, they’ve also bought a ton of players to fit his system.

With no Champions League football, City lose one of its major drawing points. They may now have to overspend to bring in world-class players which in turn may once again bring unwanted attention from UEFA.

Rival clubs may smell blood in the water and try to poach some of City’s players. Whether there is an exodus from the club will depend on what CAS rules and how important Champions League football is to a player.

Pep Guardiola is in his fourth year as City manager, equaling his longest stint at a club since he was managing Barcelona. He may decide to walk away if the ban is not, at the very least, reduced.

Regardless if the ban is reduced or not, that UEFA actually ruled to ban a team the size of City is a message to other clubs that no one is above the FFP regulations.