UEFA have released a statement on potential Champions League ban on Manchester City.
UEFA opened their investigation earlier this year, but Manchester City turned down the wrongdoings and said that the accusations are entirely false.
A panel started investigating Manchester City on March 7, 2019, for potential breaching of Financial Fair Play (FFP). Having concluded the investigation, Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) has today decided to refer Manchester City FC to the CFCB adjudicatory chamber.
A UEFA statement on Thursday read: “The Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) chief investigator, after having consulted with the other members of the independent investigatory chamber of the CFCB, has today decided to refer Manchester City FC to the CFCB adjudicatory chamber following the conclusion of his investigation.
“UEFA will not be making any further comment on the matter until a decision is announced by the CFCB adjudicatory chamber.”
Responding to the decision, a Manchester City club statement read: “Manchester City Football Club is disappointed, but regrettably not surprised, by the sudden announcement of the referral to be made by the CFCB IC Chief Investigator Yves Leterme.
“The leaks to media over the last week are indicative of the process that has been overseen by Mr. Leterme.
“Manchester City is entirely confident of a positive outcome when the matter is considered by an independent judicial body.
“The accusation of financial irregularities remains entirely false and the CFCB IC referral ignores a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence provided by Manchester City FC to the Chamber.
“The decision contains mistakes, misinterpretations and confusions fundamentally borne out of a basic lack of due process and there remain significant unresolved matters raised by Manchester City FC as part of what the club has found to be a wholly unsatisfactory, curtailed, and hostile process.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted..
BREAKING: @ManCity have been referred to the UEFA Club Financial Control Body adjudicatory chamber for potential breach of financial fair play rules.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 16, 2019
OFFICIAL: Manchester City have been referred to UEFA’s adjudicatory chamber for breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations. pic.twitter.com/naegPVfb2S
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) May 16, 2019
Manchester City have released a statement condemning the decision by Uefa to refer them to the club financial control body.
Read: https://t.co/QKVB2PfXZr pic.twitter.com/FQvmIPl3n8
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 16, 2019
Uefa confirms Manchester City have now been referred to FFP’s judges – we reported earlier this week investigators wanted the severest penalty, a Champions League ban https://t.co/dvWjHzSXDJ pic.twitter.com/gjDC2Dsb2W
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) May 16, 2019
🔵 Manchester City are bitterly disappointed after referred to Uefa’s club financial control body.
City could been banned from Champions League if they are found guilty of breaking the financial rules.#MCFC pic.twitter.com/1eaTM5jj1k
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) May 16, 2019
What’s next?
If the alleged accusations are true, Manchester City could face a one-year ban from UEFA for the breaching of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) as various reports indicate. It will come as a blow for Pep Guardiola, who will not be able to properly sign the required players because of the lack of funds from the UEFA Competition.
