Man City escape European ban after reprieve from CAS
NEWDELHI: Premier League giants Manchester City emerged victorious in their legal battle against European football governing body UEFA on Monday when their two-year ban from continental football was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In a ruling that is likely to have significant repercussions on the future of Financial Fair Play (Ffp)—financial regulations introduced by UEFA in 2009 and implemented from the 2011/12 season to prevent clubs from spending beyond their means— CAS ruled that alleged FFP breaches made by City could either not be established or no longer hold any relevance due to UEFA’S own time-bound limitation that prevents prosecution for breaches after five years. The ruling paves the way for the Pep Guardiola-managed team to play in next season’s Champions League.
UEFA had earlier banned City from its competitions for two years and fined the club €30 million for failing to abide by FFP rules or cooperating with its investigation. CAS found City guilty only on the count of failing to cooperate with the investigation. Apart from overturning the ban, CAS has also reduced the fine to €10 million. The sport adjudicatory body is expected to publish its ruling in full.
UEFA reacted to the ruling by saying it remains committed to FFP. “Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA remain committed to its principles,” it said in a statement. UEFA has the right to appeal the decision in Switzerland’s federal court, although it remains to be seen whether the governing body would choose to exercise the same. City have claimed vindication following the ruling. “Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by 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 said in a statement.