Man City is facing “significant sanctions” under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules after UEFA President Michel Platini confirmed “tough” action would be taken against clubs who failed to comply, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Man City and Paris St. Germain "are thought to have been found guilty of breaching FFP regulations" by the investigatory chamber of UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body. Both clubs "are understood to have until the end of the month to accept or contest a punishment known as a 'settlement' offer, which is likely to include a heavy financial penalty or curbs on their ability to field players in European competition." Should Man City choose to fight the verdict, the CFCB’s adjudicatory chamber "would determine afresh whether they were guilty and what sanction they should face" (TELEGRAPH, 4/24). In London, Mark Cue reported Platini said that, although sanctions would be handed out, "they would not extend to banning clubs from playing in the Champions League or Europa League." Platini told French newspaper Le Parisien, “In effect, the first decisions will be announced at the start of May. But if you are expecting blood and tears, you will be disappointed. There will be some tough things but no exclusions from European competition.” Platini said he is “not sure” if PSG’s “innovative” sponsorship deal with Qatar Tourism Authority played by the rules. Platini: “I cannot talk about one club in particular, that is not my role. I will say simply that Paris Saint-Germain’s financial model is distinctive and atypical” (LONDON TIMES, 4/24). REUTERS' Brian Homewood noted in January, UEFA announced that 76 European clubs, who were not named, "had been asked to submit additional information on their finances." These "are being reviewed" by UEFA's CFCB, which is expected to announce its verdicts in the first week of May. The board "can dismiss the case, conclude a settlement agreement with the club, issue a warning, reprimand or fine" up to €100,000 ($138,000). It "can also order a points deduction, withhold a club's revenues from European competition or ban the club from registering new players in European competition." However, it "cannot impose a transfer ban" (REUTERS, 4/24).
