Manchester City will hear if sometime in the first half of July their appeal against a possible two-year ban on the Champions League will be effective.
While the appeal itself will only last for a limited period, Rob Harris of the Associated Press reveals that the club will remain in the precarious situation of not knowing the result of CAS’ decision until July.
The July decision could result in an exodus of mass players. There is a likelihood that the numerous star players that City has in their ranks could be seeking a move elsewhere to compete in the elite club competition in Europe. It has already been rumoured that in such an instance Kevin De Bruyne might be pushing for an exit.
Numerous questions also exist about the future of Pep Guardiola whose new contract expires in 2021. During his tenure at the Etihad, the Spaniard has won six domestic trophies.
But the Champions League is yet to follow, and whether he’d be content with losing out for two whole seasons in European football is a question that City fans would rather not ask.
UEFA had confirmed that in February the club should be banned from the competition for the next two seasons over breaches of Financial Fair Play. They were also fined €30 m (£ 25 m), after being found to have misled UEFA and violated FFP laws.
City has since started to put its case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), finding the suspension unfair, as they try to reverse UEFA ‘s ruling. Their appeal was due to last three days altogether.
With the hearings now over, CAS will deliberate on what will have a severe impact on the future of the Pep Guardiola side over a decision in the coming weeks.
If their appeal is dismissed, City will be banned in each of the next two years in which they qualify from the competition.
