The UEFA investigatory team tasked with examining potential violations of Financial Fair Play rules by Manchester City is expected to recommend the two-time reigning Premier League champions be given a ban from the Champions League, according to a report from the New York Times.
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Man City are believed to have circumvented FFP rules by lying about sponsorship deals so as to balance a larger expenditure on transfer fees and player wages with revenue generated by the club.
There are additional allegations that other sponsorship companies are owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, owner of Man City. A ban from the Champions League would hit Sheikh Mansour the hardest of any prospective punishment, as it is the one competition the club is yet to win since he bought the club in 2008, and the one he most desperately covets.
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It is unclear when a potential ban would be handed down, or for how long it might last.