Jurgen Klopp labels Man City appeal victory ‘not a good day for football’

Liverpool manager believes Uefa’s Financial Fair Play must remain at the forefront of European football to prevent a European Super League emerging that only caters for the richest clubs

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp labelled Manchester City’s successful appeal against Uefa’s two-year European ban “not a good day for football” after voicing his support for Financial Fair Play.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favour of City on Monday and overturned their two-year European ban, which would have prevented Pep Guardiola’s side from playing in the Champions League next season and in 2021/22.

While that ruling pleased Klopp when considering how strong City would be in the Premier League if they had no European commitments to worry about, the German admitted that it was not a good sign to see a decision based on alleged FFP breaches fall through.

City were still found guilty of failing to cooperate with Uefa in their investigation, which constituted an FFP breach itself and result in a €10m (£8.9m) fine that was reduced from an initial €30m, but Klopp was evidently not at ease with the ruling.

“I don’t think it was a good day for football yesterday,” Klopp said on Tuesday. “FFP is a good idea, it’s there to protect teams and competitions, that was the idea in the start to not overspend and have clubs make sure the money they want to spend is based on the right sources.

“It’s not up to me to judge this ruling and I don’t. I just think the FFP frame we should stick to and that’s what I hope, that FFP stays because it gives kind of (financial) borders and I think that’s good for football.

“If you start (down the path) that nobody cares and the richest can do what they want, it would make competition really difficult.

“It would automatically lead to a world super league, depending on who owns the club.”

City manager Guardiola is at least able to prepare for their upcoming FA Cup and Champions League fixtures knowing that he will be able to lead the club back into Europe next season, which will be a major positive on not only signing new players this summer but also in keeping their biggest names at the Etihad Stadium.

But with his Liverpool hat on, Klopp was slightly relieved to see City win their appeal so that they will be battling on all fronts next season in their titanic tussle with the newly-crowned Premier League champions, and not just on a domestic front.

"If I think about the league and City play 10-12 games less, I don’t see any chance for any other team,” Klopp said.

"Apart from that, I don’t wish anybody anything bad.”