Premier League side Manchester City was slammed with a two-year ban by UEFA governing body on Friday night due to a breach in the financial fair play rules which shocked the world the football.
However, it is understood that manager Pep Guardiola will consider his future elsewhere in the summer unless the club can turn around the ruling, which is seriously against breaches in payment by executives.
Following the news of the ban, the current Premier League Champions immediately came up with a plan to appeal after they were left devastated by punishment dished out by the UEFA body, which will take full effect by the beginning of next campaign. In addition to the ban, UEFA added a fine of €30 million.nthey have been investigating City for over a year now.
Manchester City made a false declaration of the financials when the Arab owners made a £60m payment directly to the club but declared it as a sponsorship.
UEFA had been considering a ban for the Manchester-based club for over a year now, but after lack of cooperation by the City hierarchy, it seems the ban has been extended for two seasons now.
City Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano has called for an emergency crisis talks following the return of the players from the winter break. The city is in danger of facing the hammer from Premier League FA as a potential point deduction looks ahead.
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters has refused to make comments on the domestic investigations as the same allegations made by UEFA.
If City’s appeal falls on deaf ears, the fourth Champions League spot will be occupied by the team in the fifth position according to the UEFA regulations, and that’s if City remains in the top four.
UEFA’s Adjudicatory Chamber made the ruling of the punishment to City of the Club Financial Control Body [ CFCB], which was based on the findings that the City overstated its sponsorship revenue in its account and the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012-2016.
It remains to be seen if the Court Arbitration for Sports [CAS] will overturn the ruling made by the CFCB to City, and if it fails, City will have no option than to serve the ban.
Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi
