Pep Guardiola has 'a lot of confidence' Manchester City's two-year ban will be overturned


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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he has a "lot of confidence and trust" that the club's two-year ban from European football will be overturned.

City's appeal against the ban was heard last month at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) and a decision is expected by July 13.

European football's governing body Uefa claimed in February that City had committed breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and failed to cooperate with its investigation, handing the Premier League club a ban and a €30 million (Dh123.9m) fine.

City vehemently denied the charges, with CEO Ferran Soriano insisting the club cooperated fully with the investigation and had provided "irrefutable evidence" to prove their innocence.

"We are ready, I have a lot of confidence and trust with the people that we will be allowed to play the Champions League because we want to be on the field during these years," Guardiola said.

"On July 13 we will know the resolution, hopefully, for the club - all the workers, players and everyone here, staff – to try to continue growing up as a club in the next years."

City remain very much alive in this season's Champions League having defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the last-16.

The return fixture was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and there has been no confirmation about when that match at the Etihad Stadium will be played.

However, there is the prospect that City could play the second leg in Portugal, where the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be played in August.

Uefa outlined plans last week that remaining last-16 ties must be played on August 7/8 at the designated home venues, and if that is not possible due to quarantine rules, then the game will be played at a Uefa-assigned stadium in Portugal.

UAE Premiership

Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai

Opening Rugby Championship fixtures: Games can be watched on OSN Sports
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Saturday February 19: v Germany

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Tuesday February 22: semi-finals

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  • Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
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Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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Rating: 4/5

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

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The biog

Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza

Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby

Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer

Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.