Manchester City UEFA ban is lifted. That’s the most key news going rounds in the football world right now. The Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS) has announced today that the court has decided to overturn UEFA’s decision and the Manchester city ban is lifted from all UEFA competitions. Earlier UEFA announced a 2-year ban on the club regarding the breaking of Financial Fair Play(FFP)rule. The CAS has also reduced the fine of Manchester City to 10million Euros.
Manchester City UEFA ban: The reason behind this decision
The Union of European Football Associations(UEFA) has announced earlier in February that they have found Manchester City guilty due to breaking the FFP rule and excluding them from any UEFA competition for 2years. UEFA also has fined Manchester City about 30million Euros regarding this issue. UEFA told that they have found many abnormal points in Man City’s Financial Audit report.
“UEFA found the Premier League club guilty of overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016.”
UEFA regarding Manchester City’s ban
Appeal against the ban
Manchester City confirmed after somedays of this judgement that they will be going to appeal against this issue to the CAS. Club officials were confident from day one that their ban will be overturned and they can participate again in UEFA club competitions in a normal way. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also told BBC sports Journalist Simon Stone that he is absolutely confident that the Manchester City UEFA ban will be overturned and his team will play in the Champions League next season and also can challenge for the trophy. And now that the court announces Manchester City UEFA ban lifted, things look positive for the club.
“We are waiting. I have a lot of confidence + trust that we will be allowed to play in CL cos we earned on field right to be there. On 13 July we will know resolution + for club, workers, players + everybody, to continue to grow up as a club.”
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager
The hearing was on 8,9,and 10th July. Later CAS announced they will give the verdict regarding this case on 13th July on 8.30 GMT.
Manchester City released a press statement today after the verdict came where it was clearly announced that the Manchester City UEFA ban is lifted. The English club also mentioned there that they were very much confident that their punishment will be overturned.
“Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present. The club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.”
Manchester City press release
Question on FFP!
After this overturning of Manchester City UEFA ban, many football pundits have started accusing UEFA that the FFP rule is actually just punishing small clubs and creating a problem for them in the market. UEFA should demolish this rule if they cannot punish everybody who breaks it, according to them. However, UEFA is not in the mood to do this and believes that that the FFP is making the market flexible and healthy for every club. The governing body of European football has given a Press statement regarding this and claimed that FFP is absolutely important for these cases and they are committed to their principals.
“UEFA notes that the CAS panel found that there was insufficient conclusive evidence to uphold all of the CFCB’s conclusions in this specific case and that many of the alleged breaches were time-barred due to the five-year time period foreseen in the UEFA regulations.Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA remain committed to its principles.”
UEFA press release
Manchester City UEFA Ban lifted: Impact on Premier League
Manchester City UEFA ban could allow the 5th place holder in Premier League to play in the Champions League next season. Also, the 6th place holder could play in Europa League next season directly and the 7th could get an opportunity to play the Europa League qualifier. But now, as the Manchester City UEFA ban is lifted, rules and regulations regarding European qualification will remain the same. However, The Telegraph journalist James Ducker has told that The Football association can start their own investigation now as they were waiting for this verdict.
Manchester City is now in the 2nd position of Premier League table with 72points. and as their ban is overturned they have now officially qualified for the 2020/21 Champions League.
What is your opinion as Manchester city UEFA ban is lifted? Let us know in the comment section below.
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