On Friday February 14, UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations announced that famous football or American soccer team Manchester City will face a two year ban from the UEFA Champions league and be fined thirty million Euros. 

The Union of European Football Associations found that Manchester City had been guilty of multiple violations related to club licensing. The Union of European Football Associations also concurred that Manchester city violated the financial fair play rules, which are cost controls put in place by UEFA to try to mitigate the growing gap between rich clubs and poor ones in European leagues, and to tackle a growing debt crisis. 

This is a hit to Manchester City’s money intake, as participation in the Champions League is worth about $100 million a year to the club. The ban however, has no effect on this year’s Champions League. Manchester City, which has never won the competition, is in trouble if they do not win the champions League this year. The ban puts the future of players, administration, and the managers job in the air. 

“Enforcing the rules of financial fair play and punishing financial doping is essential for the future of football,” Javier Tebas said. “We have been calling for severe action against Manchester City for years. It’s better late than never.”

Manchester City could also face consequences in their english league, the Premier league. They have been investigated before and seem to have understood this would come. “Manchester City is disappointed but not surprised by today’s announcement by the UEFA Adjudicatory Chamber,” the team’s statement said. “The Club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position.”

Local American fans have shown disappointment in the rule breaking scandal. “I see soccer as a fair sport one that should not be dictated by money,” fan Erick Hirsch said. “I think the punishment is right and should stand.”