UEFA Champions League Ban: Manchester City Reacts To Receiving A 2-Years Ban

Pep Guardiola

Manchester City football club has reacted to the 2-year ban issued to them by the football governing body, saying that they are "disappointed but not surprised" by the decision and described it as "prejudicial".

UEFA banned Manchester City from competing in the Uefa club competitions in the next two seasons (ie. the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons). A punishment, which includes a €30 million fine (£25m/$33m), to the Premier League giants for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

Following an investigation, the Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) found City guilty of 'breaching the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations by overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016'.

Denying the allegation, City responded with a statement on their website, saying UEFA made the decision even before the investigation had started.

The statement reads: 

"Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by today’s announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber,"

"The Club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position.

"In December 2018, the UEFA Chief Investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation had even begun. 

"The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked UEFA process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver.  The Club has formally complained to the UEFA Disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling. 

"Simply put, this is a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA. With this prejudicial process now over, the Club will pursue an impartial judgment as quickly as possible and will therefore, in the first instance, commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity."

However, Manchester City will be traveling to Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in the round of 16 of this season's UEFA champions league tie.