Arsenal and Manchester united could still play in the Champions League despite finishing 5th! Here’s how

German magazine Der Spiegel published a series of stories in November claiming Manchester City agreed inflated sponsorship deals so the Abu Dhabi royal family could put extra money into the club.

UEFA sources say Manchester City could be banned from the Champions League if an investigation found that they had broken the rules. They have now opened a second investigation into City, who have already been fined for breaching FFP.

But UEFA will honour the commitment to give English clubs four Champions League places – even if City are booted out.

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Article 4.08 of the Champions League regulations states “a club which is not admitted to the competition is replaced by the next best-placed club in the top domestic championship of the same association”.

It means City’s place – they are certain to finish in the top four – would go to the Premier League’s fifth-place finishers.

That’s most likely to be Arsenal or United, who are currently fifth and sixth respectively.

City have maintained all along that the Der Spiegel articles is part of a “clear and organised attempt to damage the club’s reputation”.

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While their boss Pep Guardiola is sure City will avoid a ban having discussed the matter with Khaldoon Al-Mubarak, the club’s chairman.

“We will not be banned, no,” Guardiola said.

“That’s what I think because I trust in my chairman, with my CEO, what they have explained to me. I trust in them.

“If it happens, because Uefa decide that, we will accept it and move forward.”

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