Man City CAS appeal: Three potential outcomes on UEFA ban
Manchester City appealed their UEFA ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month and Express Sport takes a look at three possible outcomes.
Manchester City ‘feel targeted’ by UEFA says sports lawyer
Manchester City launched an appeal against their two-year ban from participating in European competition. The punishment was handed out by UEFA in February following an investigation into the club's finances.
City were found guilty of "serious breaches" Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations between 2012 and 2016.
The Premier League side were also fined £25million (€30m).
City responded by saying they were "disappointed but not surprised" by UEFA’s decision and immediately signalled their intention to appeal to CAS.
They added in a statement: "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.
Man City CAS appeal: A look at the potential outcomes (Image: GETTY)
Man City CAS appeal: The hearing takes place this week (Image: GETTY)
"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."
City's appeal will be heard by three CAS lawyers over three days but a verdict is not expected until later this summer.
Here, Express Sport looks at three potential outcomes on the UEFA ban and how they might affect the club.
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Man City CAS appeal: The club were given a two-year UEFA ban (Image: GETTY)
This would be the worst-case scenario for Pep Guardiola's side.
It would mean that CAS agree with UEFA's findings and the two-year ban would remain in place.
City could launch another appeal with the Swiss federal courts over CAS's ruling but it's unlikely it would be heard before the start of the next Champions League campaign.
As well as being time-consuming, such a case would likely be just as difficult to overturn.
Manchester City: Guardiola says 'it's not over' after UEFA ban
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If City's ban is upheld, it also brings the futures of Guardiola and his players into question.
Would the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero stick around knowing they couldn't play Champions League football for at least two years?
City win the appeal
This ruling is the outcome City will have their fingers crossed for.
Winning the appeal would allow them to enter the 2020/21 Champions League competition and cool suggestions over Guardiola and his players leaving the club.
Man City CAS appeal: How will the outcome affect of Guardiola and his players? (Image: GETTY)