This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
July 13, 2020, marked a crucial day for Manchester City as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prepared to deliver its verdict on the club's appeal against a two-season ban from European competitions.
The ban, imposed in February, stemmed from allegations that Manchester City deliberately inflated the value of income from sponsors linked to the Abu Dhabi United Group, also owned by City owner Sheikh Mansour, to avoid falling foul of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations between 2012 and 2016.
Manchester City has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the club's fortunes have transformed significantly since Sheikh Mansour's takeover 12 years ago. Under his ownership, City has won four EPL titles in the past eight years, among 11 major trophies.
However, the prize that has eluded Manchester City is the Champions League. Despite the outcome of the appeal, the club will have the chance to compete in the Champions League in August, with a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid from the first leg of their last 16 tie.
The outcome of the appeal will have severe consequences for Manchester City's finances, with a two-year ban potentially affecting the club's ability to attract and retain top players. Manager Pep Guardiola's contract runs until the end of the 2020/21 season, and star players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling may not want to waste two of their peak years without Champions League football.
