This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
July 13, 2020 - Manchester City has secured a major victory in their bid to play in the Champions League next season. The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has overturned the club's two-year ban from European football, paving the way for their return to the competition.
The CAS panel also reduced Manchester City's fine from €30m to €10m, a significant reduction from the original amount.
The decision was made after the CAS panel reviewed the club's appeal against the ban, which was imposed by UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) in February 2020. The ban was a result of alleged breaches of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.
Manchester City's reaction to the verdict was swift, with the club releasing a statement welcoming the implications of the ruling. 'Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Club welcomes the implications of today's ruling as a validation of the Club's position and the body of evidence that it was able to present,' the statement read.
The club's victory is a significant boost to their reputation and will come as a relief to their fans. The Champions League is one of the most prestigious club competitions in the world, and Manchester City's return to the tournament will be a major talking point in the football world.
