Man City set for lengthy UEFA ban appeal - leading to Premier League confusion

Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Real Madrid v Manchester City - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 26, 2020 Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their second goal with Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy [REUTERS/Sergio Perez]

Manchester City may have to wait for two months to learn whether their Champions League ban has been overturned.

City's appeal against their two-year ban for breaking UEFA'S Financial Fair Play rules is being heard next week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Blues were hit with the suspension, plus a £25million fine, for overstating the club's sponsorship revenues between 2012 and 2016 to meet FFP.

The Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA's Club Financial Control Body handed down the punishment, which was immediately contested by City, who branded the investigation "flawed".

City's appeal will be heard over three days from Monday, most likely by video conference, due to restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ferran Soriano, City's chief executive, has already declared the club's desire for an “early resolution” to the case, to enable them to plan accordingly.

But CAS sources have revealed a final decision on City's Champions League fate for next season could take up to two months to be delivered.

UEFA and City want the appeal decision delivered before the draw is made for next season's Champions League group stage, to avoid unnecessary complications.

Pep Guardiola's side are currently second in the Premier League and certain to finish in the top four, meaning the team that finishes fifth could claim a Champions League spot if City's ban is upheld.

But the potential drawn-out nature of a verdict on City's appeal could mean the team that finishes fifth may have to wait to learn if that is good enough to secure them a Champions League spot next term.

 

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