Manchester City could be facing serious sanctions in the coming weeks with UEFA set to complete its investigations into the club's alleged breach of Financial Fair Play regulations. The Etihad outfit risks missing out on Champions League football for next season despite booking a spot with its Premier League title win on Sunday.
For months now, City has been under investigation by UEFA and top officials in English football over allegations of violating FFP rules. The claims which were cited by the German whistle-blower platform Der Spiegel suggested that the club's owners had devised a scheme to "systematically circumvent FFP rules, with team executives outsourcing costs to other companies."
However, Manchester City subsequently released a statement to deny any wrongdoing. The Premier League champions further classified Der Speigel's revelations as an "organized and clear attempt to damage the Club's reputation."
With UEFA carrying on with its investigations into the alleged FFP breach, a ruling is expected to surface soon. According to the New York Times, members of the UEFA's financial control board - the group assigned to look into the financial records of clubs - met two weeks ago in Nyon, Switzerland, to "finalize their conclusions".
Nonetheless, the European football governing body would have to act quickly in passing a judgment if it seeks to implement the potential Champions League ban for the 2019/2020 season. The development is as a result of the qualification games of next season's competition scheduled to commence in June.
In turn, Manchester City will have ample time to exercise its right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
