Manchester City retained their Premier League crown over the weekend with victory at Brighton.
It was a close-fought battle with Liverpool throughout the campaign but Pep Guardiola’s side held their nerve on the final day.
City were knocked out of this season’s Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Tottenham, who will compete in the final against Liverpool in June.
The Premier League champions already claimed the Carabao Cup earlier this year and have an FA Cup final against Watford to come this weekend.
But City could miss out on next season’s Champions League and Express Sport explains why.
Why could Man City be banned from Champions League?
City are under investigation regarding financial fair play (FFP) rules and could be hit with a one-season ban if they are found guilty of breaching the regulations.
What is financial fair play?
FFP rules require clubs to balance their books over a three year period.
It is designed to prevent the build-up of unstable debt.
UEFA states that clubs can only spend up to €5million (£4.34m) more than they earn per assessment period (three years).
What have Man City been accused of?
UEFA have been investigating evidence first uncovered in a series of leaks published by the German newspaper Der Spiegel in 2018.
The reports alleged City had broken FFP rules by inflating the value of a major sponsorship deal.
Have Man City been punished before?
City were hit with a £49m fine in 2014 for a previous breach of FFP rules.
They also had their Champions League squad reduced.
Will Man City be banned next season?
With no vote in cases of this nature, the final decision lies with chief investigator Yves Leterme.
But it is understood UEFA would deem a season-long ban to be suitable punishment if City are found guilty.
However, it looks unlikely that it will apply to next season’s competition as City could appeal and even take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
What could it mean for Arsenal?
If City are found guilty and a ban for next season is upheld, it would afford Arsenal a Champions League spot having finished fifth in the Premier League.
But, as previously mentioned, it is unlikely the case will be settled that quickly.
The Gunners, though, can still secure a place in Europe’s elite competition for next term by winning the Europa League final against rivals Chelsea.