City sanctions eased

Financial fair play (FFP) sanctions are expected to be eased on Manchester City.  Rather than having to name eight ‘home grown’ players in their Champions League Squad, the number looks likely to be reduced to five.   This would allow them to field 16 foreign players, just one short of the normal number of 17.

This would reduce pressures on City as it looked as if they would have to omit some foreign stars and offer contracts to English players who were surplus to requirements, making it more difficult for them to break even.

Financial fair play (FFP) sanctions are expected to be eased on Manchester City.  Rather than having to name eight ‘home grown’ players in their Champions League Squad, the number looks likely to be reduced to five.   This would allow them to field 16 foreign players, just one short of the normal number of 17.

This would reduce pressures on City as it looked as if they would have to omit some foreign stars and offer contracts to English players who were surplus to requirements, making it more difficult for them to break even.

Uefa is walking a tightrope with such decisions.   On the one hand, the Football Association and clubs like Arsenal want to see the FFP sanctions enforced.   On the other hand, it looks as if challenges to the regulations are going to continue in the Belgian courts despite an attempt by the European Commission to brush them aside.