Manchester City win appeal against two-year ban from Europe

Manchester City have won their appeal against a two-year ban from Europe.
City had been hit with the ban in February by UEFA after being found guilty of ‘serious breaches’ of financial fair play rules.
The news stunned Etihad bosses, who launched an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The appeal was heard last month and this morning CAS announced the ban had been overturned after finding the club had been cleared of ‘disguising equity funds’. Instead, City have seen an initial fine of £27m reduced to £9m.
The victory will go down as one of the most important in the club’s history, with City now free to compete in the Champions League next season.
Manchester City will play in the Champions League again next season (Image: Getty Images)
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It will also reduce the risk of some star names deciding to leave the Etihad, including Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.
The decision could also persuade Pep Guardiola to sign a new contract. The Spaniard is entering the final 12 months of his current deal and would have been expected to leave had City not been able to compete in the Champions League for the next two years.
A club statement said: “Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present.
-Daily Star