BLUES GOING TO WAR OVER BAN

FROM BACK PAGE not play in the Champions League again until 2022, which could see them lose boss Pep Guardiola as well as the likes of Sergio Aguero (below), Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. City could also face action from the Premier League.

The club, found guilty of falsely inflating sponsorship deals to meet FFP rules and accused of failing to co-operate with UEFA, will launch an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to get the decision overturned.

But La Liga president Javier Tebas said: “UEFA is finally taking decisive action. For years we have been calling for severe action against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. Better late than never.”

City remain confident of overturning the ban and said in a statement: “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.”

UEFA’s decision to expel City means the team in fifth place in the Premier League – currently Sheffield United – will now qualify for next season’s Champions League.