Manchester City sanctioned with $80 million dollar UEFA fine

Manchester City are one of the richest clubs in the world, and the financial fair play system was put in place to help teams like that dominating the smaller, poorer teams, but many wondered how UEFA would react if a team broke the strict rules. Fines and bans were promised. Manchester City look set to be the first to find out, as their accounts from the previous seasons do not meet in line with the rules. Manchester City look set to face a $80 million dollar fine and a squad reduction for next years UEFA Champions League.

This ruling suggests UEFA mean business. A normal squad size for the Champions League is 25 players, but UEFA will look to reduce City's squad as part of a fierce punishment for breaking the rules, with the intent on making them obey the rules as soon as possible. There could be wage and transfer caps introduced in light of City's disastrous effort to follow the rules.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini appeared in no mood to discuss it at his Tuesday afternoon news conference. He stated "When it is official news of Uefa we can analyse what happens with the team. In this moment we don't know what happens." Once things are finalized it's clear that City as a whole will not be happy with this ruling, knowing it will seriously impact next season and their Champions League hopes.

Will teams like City learn their lesson, or will they continue to take heavy-hitting punishments like this?