Premier League rivals gang up on Manchester City with EIGHT of the top 19 joining forces to launch CAS bid to stop them from playing in the Champions League while appeal against two-year ban waits to be heard amid coronavirus lockdown
- Premier League’s top clubs have launched a bid to stop Man City attempting to play in the Champions League amid an appeal against their two-year ban
- Eight of Premier League top – have written to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
- City and Sheffield United are the only top-half clubs not involved
- The group includes Liverpool, Man United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea
- Coronavirus symptoms : what are they and should you see a doctor?
By Mike Keegan For The Daily Mail
Published:
football’s top clubs have launched a stunning bid to stop Manchester City attempting to play in the Champions League while their appeal against a two-year ban is ongoing.
In a bombshell disclosure, Sportsmail can reveal that the entire top – with the exception of City and Sheffield United – have submitted a joint application to the Court of Arbitration for Sport which will hear City’s appeal against thei r punishment from UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
The group, which includes the likes of Liverpool , Manchester United ,
Man Utd, whose executive vice-chairman is Ed Woodward, are one club who have taken action
Liverpool, owned by John Henry, have been fierce rivals to Man City in the past few years
It states that should City request that their punishment is ‘stayed’ while their appeal is ongoing, all the clubs strongly object. It is understood, however, that such a request has not been lodged by the Premier League champions.
The move is a significant development. It provides a clear indication of the dim view that the rest of the top flight’s leading clubs have privately taken over City’s behavior.
While City declined to comment, there is a belief within the Etihad Stadium that certain other rivals have been leading a charge against them. This action will do nothing to dilute that view.
Tottenham, another ‘top-six’ club, have also contributed to the joint application to CAS
The ‘outraged’ position held by the group has been outlined by one source with knowledge of the situation.
‘The feeling is that enough is enough, ‘said the source. ‘For too long, City have been able to get away with breaching the rules at the expense of at least one other club that has been unable to get into the Champions League.
‘The fear is that they will be able to delay any punishment and – should they win the appeal – get off scot-free, which would be outrageous.’
Chelsea are another Premier League club who’ve written to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
City were banned from Europe’s premier competition for two years and fined £ million by UEFA in February for ‘serious breaches’ of Financial Fair Play. They deny any wrong-doing and immediately announced their intention to appeal, which they did.
CAS did not respond to a request for a comment by this newspaper. On March , when questioned on the progress of the appeal, they said that City had not yet lodged an application to stay the punishment while the appeal was heard.
The appeal, along with the coronavirus crisis, has raised concerns for the complainants that the case will be delayed and City will be in next season’s Champions League.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings