Manchester City banned from Champions League

Manchester City has been given the big stick following the club’s alleged infringement against the league’s regulations.

Recall that Mancity; as it’s fondly called by its numerous fans; is currently the Champion of the Premier League.

This ban from European club competition has dealt a heavy blow on the club side’s fans around the world, here in Nigeria, the news of the ban has already resulted in street fights that have led to the deaths of about three people in Ajeromi Ifelodun area of Lagos state.

The ban is reported to have been necessitated by the club’s “serious breaches” against UEFA’s “Club Licensing and Financial Fair-play Regulations.”

Along with the ban, the Premier League champions is also facing a fine of 30m euros (£25m), however, insiders say that the decision is subject to an appeal as Mancity has the privilege to appeal against the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Officials at Manchester City have expressed their disappointment at Uefa, they, however, claim that the “prejudicial” decision to ban City for two seasons did not come as a shock as Uefa has had it coming a long time ago, and on this ground, the Uefa Champion has decided that it will appeal against the decision.

According to UEFA’s financial control body, the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), between 2012 and 2016 City submitted a break-even information to UEFA that was both misleading and a lie, the league champion was found guilty of “overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts”, and when this was discovered, the club blatantly refused to cooperate in the ensuing investigation”.

In a statement released by Manchester City, it said:

“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.

“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.”

According to insiders, if not properly handled, City will face a Premier League points deduction, an insider said that the league’s FFP rules are similar to those of UEFA except for some minor difference.

This punishment, however, does not implicate City’s women’s team.