It is ‘sounding like’ Manchester City will be exonerated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ahead of the appeal verdict to their European ban, according to journalist Ian Cheeseman.
Earlier this year, the Manchester-based club were handed a two-year ban from European football having reportedly breached Financial Fair Play regulations. The 2018/19 Premier League champions denied any wrongdoing immediately and announced they would be taking their case to CAS (via City Xtra).
Cheeseman tweeted: “It’s sounding like Man City will be completely exonerated by CAS over the UEFA allegations, from what I’m hearing – nothing confirmed yet, but we may find out tomorrow or Monday.”
As well as the ban from European competition, City were ordered to pay a fine of £25m and UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body claimed that the club had failed to cooperate with their investigation (via Sky Sports).
TIF Thoughts…
Although there has yet to be any official announcement in regards to whether or not the club will be exonerated, Cheeseman appears to be fairly confident of a ruling in Manchester City’s favour.
If this proves to be incorrect and the ban is upheld, a Champions League qualification place would go to the club who finish fifth at the end of this season’s Premier League campaign.
Are you confident the club will be exonerated by CAS?
Yes
No
With regards to this season’s Champions League, the draw has been made for the quarter-finals of the competition. Should Manchester City progress from their last-16 tie with La Liga leaders Real Madrid, they will face the winner of Lyon v Juventus.
Pep Guardiola’s side trailed in the first leg when Isco put Los Blancos in front, but goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne saw the Citizens turn the tie around and they now hold an advantage going into the return fixture at the Etihad Stadium.
By Monday, it should be clear whether they will be able to defend a Champions League title in the event they go all the way once the competition resumes next month.