Man City 'can say bye to Pep Guardiola' says expert
Manchester City could be stripped of their 2014 Premier League title, according to the Daily Mail. The Citizens were kicked out of the Champions League for two years after breaching Financial Fair Play [FFP] rules.
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Things are going from bad to worse for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The back-to-back Premier League champions have been banned from competing in the Champions League for the next two years after breaching FFP rules.
This has led to speculation over Guardiola’s future, with suggestions that he will look to leave the Etihad.
The club could look to sell players, and have been tipped to offload Kevin de Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Aymeric Laporte.
JUST IN: Man City issued two-year Champions League ban by UEFA and £25m fine over FFP breaches
But they could be in line to lose something far more valuable, with their 2014 title under threat.
City won the Premier League for the second time in 2014 - beating Liverpool by just two points.
However, because they could receive a backdated points deduction, they could be forced to return their title.
The Daily Mail reports that the Premier League are inquiring over any potential breaches of the rules, and could take action themselves.
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The report states that the period of time for the investigation would be between 2012 and 2016, meaning their second Premier League title would be in question.
The Premier League has the ability to impose a backdated points deduction, and therefore their title could be stripped.
City won the league in 2014 by leapfrogging Liverpool late in the season, after Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip against Chelsea.
Liverpool’s draw against Crystal Palace in the closing stages of the season meant City had the chance to slip in and take the title.
Current Reds boss Jurgen Klopp expressed sympathy for the Citizens, however.
The German oversaw Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Norwich on Saturday which took them 25 points clear at the top of the league, and closing in on their first ever Premier League crown.
But he said after the game: “It was a shock. Complete wow. What they have done on the pitch is exceptional.
“The rest, I don't know. You believe the people you work with. I feel for them. They can appeal so we will see what happens then. It is obviously serious.”