Manchester City appeal 2-year Champions League ban for FFP violation

Published on: 26 February 2020

Gab Marcotti explains what comes next for Manchester City in their effort to appeal their two-year ban.

Julien Laurens explains how Manchester City's UEFA ban will be perceived by other big clubs around Europe.

Shaka Hislop discusses the permutations Manchester City's UEFA ban has domestically in the Premier League.

Ale Moreno explains how Zinedine Zidane can use Gareth Bale to exploit Manchester City's defence. (edited)

Ale Moreno delves into Real Madrid's monumental week with matches versus Man City and Barcelona.

Craig Burley says Manchester City's back line might make or break their Champions League tie vs. Real Madrid.

Without the injured Eden Hazard, will Zinedine Zidane bring Gareth Bale back to face Manchester City?

Manchester City have formally lodged their appeal against UEFA's two-season ban from the Champions League to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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UEFA announced on Feb. 14 that the reigning Premier League champions will be excluded from the Champions League for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns and have also been fined €30 million ($33m) for "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts" and failing "to cooperate in the investigation," according to findings by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber.

City said they were "disappointed but not surprised" by the ruling and have now formally lodged their appeal to CAS, who said: "It is not possible to indicate at this time when a final award in this matter will be issued."

Meanwhile, a source told ESPN's Rodrigo Faez that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is worried how the ban could affect his players but that he will remain at the club "as long as he is happy."

Guardiola says he has been shown proof Manchester City are innocent of the financial irregularities that has seen the club hit with a European ban.

"We were under suspicion for a long time, we have the right to appeal and I trust the people in my club,"  Guardiola said. "They explain the reasons, they showed me the arguments and the proofs. We are optimistic that finally if we deserve to be in the Champions League we can do it next season, if finally it doesn't happen we have to accept and move forward.

"My trust is with the club. I know them. We are going to see what happens with CAS."

City face Real Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg on Wednesday, their first match in the competition since the ban was announced.

Source: espn.co.uk

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