Manchester City Could Be Banned From Champions League For One Year

If Manchester City thought they were riding the crest of a wave after winning the Premier League title then they could be about to face it crashing into the shores as a Champions League ban might be looming.

Manchester City finished off a hell of a Premier League title race on Sunday with a 4-1 win over Brighton that secured them their first back to back titles, and the first the league has seen for a decade.

The hard work isn't all done and dusted for City just yet though as Pep Guardiola's men still have an FA Cup final to contend with, on Saturday against Watford.

Should they add the country's oldest cup to the Premier League and Carabao Cup then they'll complete a domestic treble that's never been done before, pretty impressive.

However the one trophy the club want more than any other, the Champions League trophy, still eludes them after another disappointment in the tournament.

VAR stopped them progressing into the semi final for just the second time and they've never been beyond the final four, and it might be about to become even more difficult for them.

According to the New York Times, an investigatory panel is about to suggest to UEFA that City's alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play rules justify a one year ban from the Champions League.

The moment City were denied a place in the Champions League semi final. Image: PA Images

The investigation is to do with the club allegedly misleading the European football governing body over the cost of certain sponsorships that come from the United Arab Emirates, like the country's airlines Etihad sponsoring the club.

It's not clear if UEFA would heed the advice of the panel or if they would put the ban in place for the 2019/20 season or 2020/21 season, but if it were to be for next season they'd have to act fast as qualifying begins as early as next month.

Guardiola wouldn't be able to believe his side had been banned. Image: PA Images

Spiegel's story from the now famous Footy Leaks stories suggested back in November that the Premier League champions had broken the FFP rules, which led to the investigation.

Any ban from Europe's premier club competition would come as a huge blow to the club, both financially and for their long term goals.

Will City be banned from the Champions League?

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28