'Complete exit from the European stage?' If the FFF violation of the most prestigious Manchester City is confirmed, there is a possibility that all European tournaments will be expelled

Sep 20, 2024

Soccer Football - Champions League - Manchester City v Inter Milan - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 18, 2024 Inter Milan's Mehdi Taremi, Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi and Manchester City's Erling Haaland react after the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington

'Is the world's most famous club being kicked out?'

England Premier League (EPL) prestigious Manchester City could be completely kicked out of the soccer stage.

According to the British media Telegraph on the 20th (Korea time), Manchester City's hearing on the violation of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations began on the 16th local time, and if the violation is finally recognized, there is a possibility of being expelled from all competitions as well as the EPL.

Manchester City has been under investigation by an independent committee since February this year on charges of committing a total of 115 FFP violations between 2009 and 2018. Currently, the hearing process is underway and a final ruling will be made in 2025.

In the meantime, it is said that there is also a review of what level of punishment will be given when the final conviction is confirmed. As expected penalties, measures such as deprivation of 30 points, relegation or expulsion from the EPL, and deprivation of past titles were emerging.

There is a prospect that the possibility of a much stricter disposition cannot be ruled out. The Telegraph said in its article that `Man City is likely to be expelled from all tournaments as well as from the Premier League' that the club cannot participate in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Club World Cup, or UEFA Champions League or UEFA European League (European EL) in addition to the Premier League.

epa11612671 Ruben Dias (2L) of Manchester City gestures in the direction of referee Glenn Nyberg during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and Inter in Manchester, Britain, 18 September 2024. EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN

For that reason, the Telegraph cited Article 31 of the FA Cup Rules as an example. This article provides that the Professional Game Board (PGB, FA Board of Directors) may exclude a club from the competition if it is out of the league to which it belongs (or if that club is suspended from the league).

On the other hand, the rules of the EFL Cup define clubs that can participate as `each club that is affiliated with the league from time to time and each club that is affiliated with the Premier League from time to time.' The rules of the European Champions League are more complicated, and it is known that UEFA's club license is required to participate in European competitions.

Because each tournament is hosted differently, the league in England is not allowed, but the UEFA-hosted tournament may be considered possible, but if Manchester City is completely expelled from domestic soccer, it will be difficult to continue participating in the European Champions League or Club World Cup because the official period will be prolonged.

The Telegraph argues that if this situation develops, there is a possibility that the organizers of each competition will gather their opinions and deport them from all competitions to avoid unfair controversy.

However 'Excluding Man City, the world's highest-paid player, from all leagues risks throwing English football into chaos, which is expected to cause considerable pain,' Telagraff added.

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