Man City confirm they are taking UEFA to CAS after the European body banned City from 2 European campaigns
Etihad Stadium - Manchester City
UEFA’s decision on the allegations of Manchester City’s financial irregulaties was due in December and the decision, at that point, was expected to be in favour of Manchester City, as per the Athletic. The announcement of the decision was delayed and it raised a few eyebrows. The decision of UEFA’s CFCB AC has now gone against the reigning Premier League Champions and Manchester City face a European ban for 2 seasons.
The Adjudicatory Chamber, having considered all the evidence, has found that Manchester City Football Club committed serious breaches of 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,” read a UEFA statement.
– UEFA statement
“The Adjudicatory Chamber has imposed disciplinary measures on Manchester City Football Club directing that it shall be excluded from participation in UEFA club competitions in the next two seasons (ie: the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons) and pay a fine of 30 million euros.”
However, Manchester City hit straight back at UEFA and called the decision ‘disappointing but not surprising’. The club criticized the manner in which UEFA conducted their investigations and called UEFA’s process “flawed and consistently leaked”. Manchester City have confirmed they will commence proceedings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the earliest opportunity.
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.– Man City Club Statement
“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. “
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had earlier dismissed Manchester City’s appeal as UEFA had not announced their decision yet. With UEFA’s decision now confirmed, CAS is expected to investigate this issue when City file an appeal.
It is worth noting that the Court of Arbitration for Sport already called the leaks to NY Times before the CFCB IC announced their decision “worrisome”. In addition, the court also questioned how Yves Leterme confirmed the leak didn’t come from the members of his chamber.
The comments made by the Court of Arbitration of Sport during City’s appeal seems to strengthen City’s case. In addition, the club firmly believes the ‘comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position’ would prevail at CAS. This reportedly has the top level executives at Manchester City fairly convinced they will get the ban overturned at the Court of Arbitration of Sport – an independent body with the process to impartially investigate this case.
Deepak Selvan is the Chief Football Correspondent at LosMejor. He writes about the Premier League, Champions League and the complicated financial affairs in European and World Football.
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