City's European ban overturned on appeal

CAS find that club had not disguised equity funding as sponsorship contributions

Manchester City have overturned their two-year ban from European competitions, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided that the club hadn't disguised equity funding as sponsorship contributions.

CAS released their findings at 9.30am on Monday morinng, following a three day hearing last month. It represented a major victory for the club, who have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and will feel vindicated by the decision.

City were found guilty of the lesser charge of failing to co-operate with UEFA, but saw their fine reduced from €30m to €10m.

Full written reasons for the ruling are expected shortly, but CAS said the decision "emphasised that most of the alleged breaches reported by the adjudicatory chamber of the CFCB were either not established or time-barred".

It added that in clearing City of the more serious charges surrounding "dishonest concealment" of sponsorship deals it was "not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in Uefa's club competitions" for the lesser charge of "obstructing the CFCB's investigations".

A short statement on the club's official website read:

"Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), 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. The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered."