Jurgen Klopp has sided with the Manchester City players and Pep Guardiola after it was revealed that they will be banned from the Champions League following the breach of financial fair play regulations. The German has enjoyed fierce competition with their Premier League rivals in the past 18 months but has still claimed he cannot feel pleased with the news that they will be unable to play in Europe for the next two seasons.
News broke yesterday that City has been found guilty of committing “serious breaches” of UEFA’s club licensing and FFP regulations.
The reigning Premier League champions were ordered to pay a fine of £25million.
City have decided to launch an appeal to the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
If they are successful, they could be reinstated back into the competition should they qualify.
Should that fail, it could open the door for the fifth-placed team in this season’s standings to qualify for the Champions League.
City are desperate to win club’s football most cherished prize and will take on Real Madrid (first leg) in the last 16 on February 26.
While City have been left to lick their wounds, La Liga president Javier Tebas praised UEFA for finally knuckling down on FFP.
“Enforcing the rules of financial fair play and punishing financial doping is essential for the future of football,” he said.
“For years we have been calling for severe action against Manchester City and Paris St-Germain, we finally have a good example of action and hope to see more. Better late than never.”