Man City can't defend UCL title if they win it this season
- Man City were handed a two-year ban from UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules
- The club now face the prospect of missing out on a place in the Champion league for the next two seasons
- The ban comes at a time the Manchester club is keen to win the title this season for the very first time in their history
Man City have all but declared their intent to win this season's Champions League title - in what would be a historic moment for the club.
The Citizens already have one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition after staging a thrilling comeback to stun Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their round of 16 fixture played at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, February 26.
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However, Man City's possible triumph in the European showpiece comes at a time the club are battling to appear in the competition next summer after being slapped with a two-year ban by UEFA over breach of Financial Fair Play rules.
And with the club already out of the Premier League race, their current situation even gives them more desire and enthusiasm to win the European title this season.
But then would the club play in next season's Champions League as defending champions should they win the tournament now?
This scenario appears to be dealt with in Article 4 and Article 6, Section N of the Regulations of the Champions League.
Under Article 4, UEFA says: "A club which is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next best-placed club in the top domestic championship of the same association, provided the new club fulfils the admission criteria."
Article 6, which happens to outline who takes part in competitions organised by UEFA states: "Clubs agree to participate as winner or, if requested, as runner-up of the UEFA Champions League in the UEFA Super Cup, in the FIFA Club World Cup."
What this implies in a nutshell is that, assuming Man City fails to have the ban lifted, the reigning Premier League champions will be unable to defend the Champions League title should they win it.
Further, the Pep Guardiola-tutored side would have their place in the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup taken by the losing finalists.
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Real Madrid vs Man City ended in a 2-1 win for the Citizens as the English champions stun Los Blancos in a Champions League last 16 game.
Gabriel Jesus canceled out Isco's goal as Kevin De Bruyne got the winner as City took a first leg advantage back to the Etihad.
It was a classy entertaining match as the Citizens gave a good account of themselves in the match.
Sergio Ramos was given his marching orders late on in the game and will now miss the second leg following a professional foul on Jesus.
Source: YEN.com.gh
