Manchester City excluded from Champions League for the next two seasons

Manchester City have been excluded from Champions League for the next two seasons after a Uefa investigation into breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations.

If City cannot successfully appeal against the decision, they would be prevented from taking part in Uefa club competitions in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

A Uefa statement read: "The Adjudicatory Chamber, having considered all the evidence, has found that Manchester City Football Club committed serious breaches of the Uefa Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations by overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to Uefa between 2012 and 2016.

"The Adjudicatory Chamber has also found that in breach of the regulations the Club failed to cooperate in the investigation of this case by the CFCB.

"The Adjudicatory Chamber has imposed disciplinary measures on Manchester City Football Club directing that it shall be excluded from participation in Uefa club competitions in the next two seasons (ie the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons) and pay a fine of €30 million.

The decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber is subject to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If Manchester City Football Club exercises that right the full reasoned decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber will not be published prior to publication of the final award by the CAS.”

A City statement said: "Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by today’s announcement.

"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."

City, second in the Premier League, had been on offer at 1-200 for a top-four finish this season, which would have booked their place in next season's competition.

Pep Guardiola had been 66-1 to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post but there will inevitably be speculation about his future if the club cannot get the ban overturned.

Betway priced Guardiola at 6-4 to be in charge of City on the last day of this season and 1-2 to have left. The firm quote 3-1 that he is still at the Etihad on the first day of the 2020-21 season and 1-5 that he is gone by then.

Sheffield United, Wolves, Everton, Manchester United and Tottenham will be among the clubs taking a keen interest in the case if it could mean a fifth-placed finish this season would earn a Champions League place.

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