CAS to hear Manchester City appeal against Champions League ban in June

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The Premier League champions are contesting UEFA's decision handed down in February

Manchester City’s appeal against the club's two-year Champions League ban will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on June 8-10.

UEFA handed down the punishment, which includes a €30 million fine (£25m/$33m), to the Premier League champions in February for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

The Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) found City guilty of "overstating its sponsorship revenue" between 2012 and 2016.

European football's governing body began the investigation after a series of allegations were published by German magazine Der Spiegel in November 2018, which drew on documents purportedly obtained by whistleblowers Football Leaks.

Manchester City vehemently deny the allegations and accused UEFA of making their decision before the investigation had even begun.

They also promised to appeal the decision "at the earliest opportunity", with chief executive Ferran Soriano insisting all of the money put into the club has always been "properly declared".

CAS confirmed it had registered Manchester City's appeal in February, less than two weeks after the ban was handed down.

The appeals process usually involves an exchange of written submissions between the parties, with a panel of CAS arbitrators deliberating the issue at a hearing before delivering its decision in the form of an arbitration award.

By scheduling the hearing for early June, CAS will ensure City's fate is decided before the scheduled resumption of the Premier League, tentatively pencilled in for June 12.

That will ensure there are complications regarding qualification for next season's European competitions.

Pep Guardiola's side are currently second in the Premier League with rivals Manchester United in fifth. If their ban is upheld and the table stays the same, it will be the Red Devils who directly benefit by claiming a Champion League place at the expense of City.

More to follow.

2020-05-19 18:00:04

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