Jose Mourinho hits out at CAS verdict to overturn Manchester City’s two-year European ban

Jose Mourinho has branded the decision to overturn Manchester City‘s two-year European ban as a ‘disgrace’ before claiming Monday’s verdict spells the end of Financial Fair Play.

UEFA initially handed City a European ban for breaching FFP regulations, but City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and subsequently had the ban taken away. A fine of €30m (£27m) handed to City was also reduced to €10m (£9m). 

The Tottenham boss was perplexed with why City were fined £9m if they were ‘not guilty’ before suggesting that if they were guilty, then their ban from UEFA’s European competitions should be upheld.

Jose Mourinho has slammed the decision to overturn Man City’s two-year European ban

‘In the case it’s a disgraceful decision because if City are not guilty of it then you are not punished with €10m,’ Mourinho said in Tuesday’s press conference.

‘If you’re not guilty you shouldn’t have a fine. If they are guilty the decision is also a disgrace and you should be banned from the competition.

‘I don’t know if Manchester City are guilty or not but either way it’s a disgraceful decision.’

When asked about the state of FFP and where that leaves Spurs, Mourinho insisted that he was happy with how the north London club operates but claimed ‘the circus door is open’ which will allow everyone to spend whatever they want.

‘Spurs is Spurs and I don’t think Spurs change this mentality and in this aspect it’s more than correct,’ he added. ‘I’m happy with the way we act here. I think it’s the end of financial fair play.’ 

Pep Guardiola was elated on Monday after Manchester City’s European ban was overturned

City will now be able to compete in the Champions League again next season after the verdict

Sportsmail understands that any challenge of the ruling by UEFA to the Swiss Federal Courts is ‘unlikely’. 

CAS released their verdict on Monday morning, and said: ‘Most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB (UEFA’S Club Financial Control Body) were either not established or time-barred. 

‘As the charges with respect to any dishonest concealment of equity funding were clearly more significant violations than obstructing the CFCB’s investigations, it was not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in UEFA’s club competitions for MCFC’s failure to cooperate with the CFCB’s investigations alone.’ 

A City statement read: ‘Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present.

‘The Club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.’