Report: Manchester City to Avoid UCL Ban, Set to Be Fined in FFP Investigation

Manchester City will reportedly avoid a ban from European competition when UEFA releases its findings from its financial fair play investigation.

According to Matt Slater and Sam Lee of The Athletic, the Sky Blues will receive a fine, but they will still be eligible to participate in next year's UEFA Champions League should they qualify.

Per Slater and Lee, some clubs are expected to appeal the decision, which is seen as too lenient on the Citizens.

BBC Sport's Dan Roan noted City have fallen foul of FFP regulations in the past and were fined £49 million in 2014, though they received part of that fine back after meeting regulations.

UEFA has previously banned Dynamo Moscow and Galatasaray from European competitions for FFP violations.

UEFA's decision will be announced next month, according to Lee and Slater, and it is expected to "lead to calls for UEFA to admit the FFP system, which was first agreed in 2009, is finished in its current guise."

Sports writer Sam Street mocked the decision to fine City:

Per Roan, UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) recommended expulsion from the Champions League for City after Der Spiegel alleged owner Sheikh Mansour used sponsors to artificially inflate the club's commercial value.

City have denied any wrongdoing.