Odds Favor Manchester City Playing at Least 1 Champions League Match in 2020-21
- Manchester City may win appeal against major two-year UEFA ban
- Huge punishment was imposed over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules
- See Odds for whether or not Manchester City will play in 2020-21 UCL
Manchester City have been plunged into crisis by a potential two-year ban from European football starting next season but there is now a belief in some quarters that they will beat the punishment.
UEFA, the governing body of the European game, has ordered the suspension and a $42 million fine over breaches of its Financial Fair Play rules.
But the analysts at the sportsbooks are suggesting the club’s court appeal will be successful and favor them at -155 to play at least one UCL game in the 2020-21 season.
The odds against them appearing in the competition in that season are +125.
Manchester City 2020-21 UCL Odds
| Will Manchester City Play At Least One UCL Game in 2020-21? | Odds |
|---|---|
Odds taken Feb. 17th
Soccer Stunned By Verdict
Soccer was stunned when UEFA announced the impending ban last Friday following a long and high-level investigation.
However, City say the verdict is “prejudicial,” and have reacted ferociously by issuing strongly-worded denials and criticisms of UEFA’s decision.
They intend to appeal to the independent Court for Arbitration for Sport and are confident they will be successful.
The potential ban has sparked heated debate in England over the long-term futures at the club of high-profile coach Pep Guardiola and star players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.
The wide-spread feeling in English soccer has been that the ban may be reduced on appeal to one season which would rule City out of both the Champions League or the Europa League in 2020-21.
The analysts may believe the case will drag on beyond the start of next season
Oddsmakers believe City’s fightback will be even more emphatic.
The analysts may believe that the case will drag on beyond the start of next season which would mean City at least kicking off in the UCL before potentially being removed following the Court for Arbitration decision.
That seems unlikely with suggestions that the appeal will be concluded before July 23 when next season’s European competitions begin.
Arsene Wenger speaking on the Manchester City ban says that there are rules and one has to respect them. pic.twitter.com/bELf1nALzJ
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) February 17, 2020
City were given an $85 million dollar fine by UEFA in 2014 for breaching FFP rules. But $55 million of the fine was suspended. Their squad for the competition in 2014-15 was restricted to 21 players.
The club are now alleged to have misled UEFA by over-stating sponsorship income and break-even information between 2012 and 2016.
Four EPL Titles
City have become one of the word’s most wealthy clubs and have won four EPL titles since they were taken over by the Middle Eastern nation of Abu Dhabi’s rulers in 2008.
The odds on them playing at least one game in the UCL in 2020-21 campaign have a complex backdrop.
If they are allowed in to the group stage next season – as their current second place in the English Premier League would dictate – that would mean at least six fixtures.
City face the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup in this season’s UCL against Real Madrid on February 26.
If they won the trophy this season, they would be automatic qualifiers – before any ban – next season.
Part of the club’s case against the ban is based on a claim that UEFA’S decision was pre-determined ahead of the investigation.
There is one clue which suggests that City may win their appeal.
Part of the club’s case against the ban is based on a claim that UEFA’S decision was pre-determined ahead of the investigation.
"Even if they put us in League Two, I will still be here. This is a time for sticking together."
Pep Guardiola has assured his Manchester City players that he remains fully committed to the club.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 17, 2020
They say that alleged leaks to the media in Europe correctly predicted that the case would be sent to the club financial control body’s adjudicatory chamber.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said this claim by City was “not without merit,” when it last year blocked the club’s attempt to have the case thrown out before UEFA reached a verdict.
This is a dry legal detail but it could be significant.
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
