Ex players want their share of Premier League club’s fortunes

Senior football figures have expressed worry that Manchester City might be allowed to compete in the Champions League next season, even if they are disciplined for breaching financial regulations. This is due to the possibility that City could win the Champions League title, thereby securing a Champions League qualification as the reigning champions, regardless of their status in the English Premier League.

There is no automatic procedure to expel City from European competitions they qualify for based on sporting merit. An independent commission found City guilty of financial irregularities, including inflating sponsorship revenue by £830 million through sham contracts and hiding other expenses worth an additional £90 million. This led to failure of the profit and sustainability rules in all seasons between 2009-10 and 2017-18.

City continues to deny the charges, describing them as a "Premier League conspiracy" and has lodged an appeal against the verdict. Senior figures are concerned that if City do not win their appeal and receive a severe penalty, they could still qualify for the Champions League, which they argue would not be fair. The issue centers around the UEFA licence, which every club requires to participate in European competitions.

The licences are issued by the Football Association, but the process is delegated to the Premier League. The licences are based on current information and do not take into account historical sanctions or breaches. If City win their appeal and secure the Champions League title, the Uefa Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) would need to find a disciplinary measure to remove them from the upcoming season's competition.

However, City has previously successfully overturned a two-year ban from European competitions imposed by Uefa in 2020, raising concerns that they could do so again.