Why Man City could still play in Champions League next season despite ban
Manchester City ’s decision to appeal UEFA’s decision to ban them from European football for two years could see the club take part in next season’s Champions League – even if the ban is upheld.
City have officially confirmed that they will appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the club’s chief executive Ferran Soriano claiming the accusations are ‘simply not true’.
CAS have revealed that the process for the appeal has now begun but it was unable to give a timeline on when that process would be concluded, with an official statement reading: “It is not possible to indicate at this time when a final award in this matter will be issued.”
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Should the process be long, drawn out and still ongoing when the new season starts, City could find themselves back in the Champions League.
They would be able to apply for a stay of the ban and, if the CAS arbitrator panel decides to grant it, then the ban would be postponed pending the outcome of the appeal.
Speaking to the Daily Mail , the managing editor of the International Sports Law Journal Christopher Flanagan explained what could happen.
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“As a part of the CAS process, City have the option to apply for 'Provisional and Conservatory Measures’ such as a stay of the ban pending a full hearing,” he said.
“We don’t yet know if City have chosen to exercise that right. If they do, UEFA will have a right of reply, and it would then be up to the arbitrator(s) to decide whether those provisional measures are granted.
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“In making that decision, the arbitrator(s) will consider aspects such as whether irreparable harm would be done to City, the likelihood of City’s case being successful overall, and the competing interests of City and UEFA.”
For last season’s competition admissions had to be confirmed by June 3, just eight days before the preliminary draw.
Should that be the same next season then City would find themselves back in the competition if the appeal is still ongoing by June 1.
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