All were waiting for today, not only for Premier League action but for the verdict on Man City and their Champions League ban appeal.
That wait is now over and Man City, along with Pep Guardiola smiles at the outcome, although a hefty fine was attached to their final judgment. Apparently the right move by the Manchester club was to higher the advocate and superstar defender, David Pannick, the 200k-a-day lawyer to handle their appeal taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
It was concluded in their final hearing that the club’s ban from Europea’s top competition will be lifted. However, they are not letting them off the hook that easy and will see that they pay a fee which they are obliged to accept.
"Man City to pay €10m (£8.96m) fine to UEFA."
The Manchester club released a statement early on Monday;
"Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the Club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present. The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered. (Via: Man City)"
At first Man City were charged with
The Citizens were found to have misled European football’s governing body and broken financial fair play rules, according to early reports.
Their books from 2012 and 2016 were under investigation. “The CFCB said City had overstated sponsorship revenue in their accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016, and for failing to co-operate with its investigation.”
At first, the sentence was a two-year ban and a fine said to be in the range of €30m (£25m) to be paid by the English club. This was established back in Feb when these allegations surfaced. At the start of June, the club’s appeal began and today their fate was decided.
Thanks to the news Man City save themselves from having to solve a lot of unnecessary business off the pitch. Basically getting their 200k-a-day’s worth from the acquisition of Pannick. The ripple effect for City couldn’t be kinder to them.
Man City save the star status
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The news has a positive knock-on effect for the Citizens. What would have followed if they’d lost their case? The previous English champs would have lost some of their world-class players and possibly their prestigious manager, Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard was strongly mixed up in rumours pointing towards the exit doors at the Etihad Stadium. Barcelona’s former president, Joan Laporta, stated on more than one occasion, depending on the outcome at Man City he is sure they will get Pep back at the Catalan club.
Staying put with Pep is Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Bernando Silva, and other world-class names on the Manchester City roster. It would have been a major step back if they were to lose the heart of the team, de Bruyne, and then the rest all followed.
Are summer signings imminent?
Qualification secured for next season’s Champions League? Their 5-0 win confirms it, what transpires now? They can operate freely in the transfer market with no restraints. After they pay their €10m (£8.96m), they can start working on incomings.
They have a lot of pulling power when going into a transfer battle with their counterparts. Who knows, City could sign another high-profile signing like renowned, David Pannick.
Look out next season Liverpool, Man City have just made themselves a big favourite for the Premier League title and Champions League gold.
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