The Premier League could have an unusually intense battle for fifth place next season if Manchester City are banned from European football for breaking financial fair play rules, according to Times
UEFA sources have confirmed that England would retain four Champions League places if City are excluded from the competition in 2020-21, which was the recommendation of the investigatory chamber of Uefa’s club financial control body (CFCB) when the Premier League champions were formally charged last week.
Given that Pep Guardiola’s side, who sealed a domestic treble with victory in the FA Cup final, are almost certain to finish in the top four next season, their Champions League place would pass to the team who are fifth in the Premier League, should they be suspended. The allocation of Champions League spots is in the hands of the FA, but there is no prospect of a place being given to the FA or Carabao Cup winners.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United have qualified for the Champions League despite finishing below fourth in the Premier League in recent years as a result of winning European competitions, but no English club has qualified by finishing fifth.
The FA Cup winners are theoretically rewarded with a place in the Europa League. However, after City’s emphatic 6-0 win over Watford at Wembley last Saturday, the extra spot for next season has gone to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who finished seventh in their first season in the Premier League since 2012.