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| With City still involved in the Champions League this season – they lead Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their last-16 tie – they could potentially embarrass UEFA by winning the competition while the case is ongoing |
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin insists it would โnot be a problemโ if Manchester City won the Champions League this year.
Ceferin says the Premier League champions are still an โassetโ to the European game despite their upcoming ban from continental competition.
City have been excluded from the Champions League for the next two years by UEFA after being found guilty of breaching the European governing bodyโs Financial Fair Play regulations.
City have vehemently denied wrongdoing and are appealing against the judgement to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
With City still involved in the Champions League this season โ they lead Real Madrid 2-1 after the first leg of their last-16 tie โ they could potentially embarrass UEFA by winning the competition while the case is ongoing.
Ceferin, however, denies this would be the case.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Ceferin said: โFirst of all, before Court of Arbitration for Sport decides, we shouldnโt comment on that.
โBut whoever wins Champions League, itโs good. Any club wins, I like it. Itโs not a problem. I would like to see a fantastic final in Istanbul. Thatโs all I care.โ
Ceferin says he still has respect for City.
He said: โThey are our asset, I respect them, they are our club. I donโt want to say that โnow we donโt like Manchester Cityโ. We like them, they are our club. But this process is a separate thing, that I donโt interfere.โ
The case could lead to a fierce legal battle between UEFA and City, who are financed by their billionaire owner Sheikh Mansour. City are also strongly supported by a Chinese state-backed investment firm and an American private equity company.
Asked if UEFA was โupโ for this, Ceferin said: โWe are not fighting anybody. We professionally defend our position.
โI donโt like that we speak about Manchester City only. We punished five to 10 clubs per season. Itโs a regular procedure. Letโs see.โ
Ceferin believes it is unlikely the issue could be resolved out of court.
He said: โI doubt but, again, I donโt want to comment. I donโt want to comment but I doubt itโs possible.โ
FFP, with its break-even clause, has been criticised in some quarters because it prevents direct investment in clubs by owners such as that at City from Sheikh Mansour.
Ceferin admits mistakes may have been made in its implementation and changes could be made, but he defends the concept.
He said: โIt was established to stop the losses in European football and it was successful. But in the future, I think we will have to adapt it, will have to change some things.
โI donโt know if mistakes have been made. Probably, yes, everywhere, mistakes have been made.
โItโs not that we are changing something because itโs not working but, for competitive balance, probably we would need more and different measures.โ
REUTERS
