A lengthy investigation into Manchester City's financial conduct looks set to end this week with a recommendation that the Premier League club be served a Champions League ban.
The New York Times is reporting that Members of the investigatory chamber of UEFA’s financial control board have already met and agreed on the punishment. Investigatory panel’s leader Yves Leterme is set to have the final say before submitting the proposed one-season ban.
Manchester City would still have the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a lengthy legal process is likely.
A formal investigation into Manchester City was launched earlier this year following allegations that the club violated financial fair play rules. The allegations were published in German magazine Der Spiegel and based on “leaked” documents.
At the time, Leterme had warned of possible “exclusion from Uefa competitions” if the allegations were true.
The Premier League also confirmed they had "contacted Manchester City to request information regarding recent allegations and is in ongoing dialogue with the club."
Manchester City denied all wrongdoing and released a statement on the "purportedly hacked or stolen" materials.
We will not be providing any comment on out of context materials purportedly hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people. The attempt to damage the club’s reputation is organised and clear.
They followed this up in March with a message on their website. “Manchester City welcomes the opening of a formal Uefa investigation as an opportunity to bring to an end the speculation resulting from the illegal hacking and out of context publication of City emails. The accusation of financial irregularities are entirely false. The club’s published accounts are full and complete and a matter of legal and regulatory record.”
Given the qualification campaign begins in June, it is unknown whether the ban would apply to this season or 2020/21.
