Harry Diamond
Manchester City’s Financial Fair Play appeal is set to be heard in early June as the club look to overturn their two-year ban from European football.
The Premier League champions were handed a two-season ban from European club competition and fined €30 million after being found guilty of breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, though the club have maintained their innocence.
UEFA revealed in a statement that City “overstated its sponsorship revenue in its accounts” over a four-year period dating between 2012 and 2016, whilst the club were also found guilty of “failing to cooperate in the investigation by the CFCB”.
In the aftermath of the verdict, Man City immediately announced their intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with Sky Sports reporting that the appeal is set to be heard on June 8-10.
Earlier this month midfielder Kevin de Bruyne admitted he would consider his future at the Etihad should the sanctions remain in place following the appeal, though insisted he retained ‘confidence’ in the club who deny any wrongdoing.
The impact of City’s appeal will also be felt throughout the rest of the Premier League, with an additional place opening up for European qualification should Pep Guardiola’s side – currently second in the division – fail to overturn their ban from continental qualification.
The news means that the Premier League should have clarity on their European positions ahead of the potential return of the division behind-closed-doors next month. As things stand, fifth-placed Manchester United would move in the Champions League places, whilst seventh-placed Sheffield United would occupy the final Europa League spot.
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