Klopp frustrated as he brands Man City verdict ‘not a good day for football’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Monday was not a good day for football, after Manchester City escaped UEFA’s clutches with only a €10million fine.

City had their two-year European ban – imposed by UEFA – overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

UEFA initially handed down the ban for City’s alleged breaches of the governing body’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

However, CAS found that City had not disguised equity funding as sponsorship, but did say they had failed to co-operate with the investigation.

The ban raised questions about the strength of UEFA’s resolve when it comes to applying FFP regulations.

When asked about the situation on Tuesday, Klopp initially joked: “I think we should move that question to the end as if I give my answer now, nobody will listen to the rest!”

The Reds boss added: “I don’t even know if I can answer. One of the big issues I have is it’s a serious subject.

“Not speaking in my native language is a problem. From a personal point of view, I am happy City can play Champions League next year. If I think about the league next year and City have have 10 or 12 games less if not, I don’t see any chance for any teams in the league.”

‘NOT A GOOD DAY FOR FOOTBALL’

“Apart from that, I don’t think it was a good day for football yesterday, just because I think FFP is a good idea,” Klopp said.

“It’s there for protecting teams, for protecting the competition. That was the idea in the start. I think FFP is a good idea but it’s not up to me to judge this, I only think we should stick to this FFP frame, which is for all of us.

“I really hope FFP stays because it gives borders where you can go to but not over it, I think that’s good for football.”

City remain in this season’s Champions League, with a last-16 second leg tie with Real Madrid to come in August.