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Tuesday Kickoff: Man City, PSG in FFP trouble; Ronaldo and Pique out of final; and more

DavidSilvaFernandinhoManCity1-Liverpool2014 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

The deep-pocketed owners of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain could be restricted on improving their squads this summer.

Both clubs are included in a group of 20 European teams under investigation by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body for breaching rules of Financial Fair Play, according to multiple reports in England. The CFCB is meeting at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland to discuss the investigations and dole out punishments, which could include heavy fines and/or a transfer ban.

FFP was put in place in 2011 in order to help clubs avoid bankruptcy and to reign in spending much more than some clubs are earning. Over the last two seasons, clubs were allowed losses of up to €45 million. Between 2015 and 2018, clubs will be restricted to yearly losses of €25 million, forcing clubs to raise revenues or cut spending to keep them in line with the rules.

Man City claim that they will break even this season, despite spending £149 million on signing Samir Nasri, Sergio Aguero, Javi Garcia, Gael Clichy, and Matija Nastasic over the past couple of seasons.

The main aspect under investigation with Man City and PSG are sponsorship deals with companies with close ties to their respective owners. Man City has a 10-year £350 million deal with Etihad Airways while PSG has a €200 million-per-year deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Tuesday:

RONALDO AND PIQUE TO MISS COPA DEL REY FINAL CLASH

For the first time in his professional soccer career, Cristiano Ronaldo will not take part in a final.

The Real Madrid star was ruled out Tuesday morning for Wednesday’s Copa Del Rey final against Barcelona as Ronaldo continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered last week.

“I found out this morning he won’t be able to play, but I’m confident in the side, who always react well to injuries,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said at a press conference. “We’re losing a player of incredible quality, but his injury has motivated us and will make us run more and play more together. To play Cristiano would be a risk. He will work tomorrow and then travel to Valencia”.

Barcelona have also lost a key player for the mid-week match, with Gerard Pique being ruled out of the final as he also continues his recovery from a hairline fracture in his hip.

GAGO COULD MISS WORLD CUP WITH KNEE INJURY

Argentina’s biggest link between the midfield and Lionel Messi is in danger of missing the World Cup.

Boca Juniors announced that midfielder Fernando Gago had suffered a grade two knee sprain, including a partial lesion to the medial collateral ligament. The Boca doctors have recommended Gago’s knee be immobilized for 15 days and have given him a 60-day timeline for full recovery.

The World Cup begins in 57 days.

The injury of course ends Gago’s Torneo Final season in Argentina, where he had made 11 appearances in 13 games played. Gago has also made nearly 50 appearances for Argentina and was a sure-fire starter when fit for the national team when fit in World Cup qualifying.

QUICK KICKS

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden confirmed that he would be traveling to Brazil for the World Cup this summer and that he’ll attend one of the USA’s matches. (REPORT)

Man City announced that Yaya Toure will miss up to two weeks with a “muscle injury” suffered at Liverpool. (REPORT)

Reports continue to stream out of Italy that if AC Milan don’t qualify for the Europa League, Clarence Seedorf will lose his job. (REPORT)

Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic is linked with a summer move to Man City, Atletico Madrid, or AS Monaco. (REPORT)

Despite Atletico Mineiro president Alexandre Kalil announcing that the club had signed Nicolas Anelka, the French forward has yet to arrive in Brazil and he’s even been sighted on a religious visit to Kuwait.

Barcelona won the inaugural UEFA Youth (Champions) League, defeating Benfica in the final, 2-0. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Man City and PSG being disciplined by UEFA? Think they could face a transfer ban? Do you plan on watching the Copa Del Rey final even without Ronaldo and Pique playing?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. PSG and City’s sponsorship deals were always a complete joke. There is no way from a business sense that PSG’s deal makes any sense at all. I would argue that before the takeover they weren’t even a top 30 brand in world football, now theyre probably top 11-15, there is no way they are worth what they get paid. City’s is a bit more reasonable but when it was given it was clear the owners were just trying to circumvent FFP rules.

    Reply
  2. €200 million-per-year deal

    Let that sink in. I can’t imagine Qatar’s tourism market generates much more revenue than that figure.

    Reply
    • Well, at least one of them is coming. He can come over and schmooze with Angela Merkel. She was at every 2010 WC game for Germany I think.

      Reply

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