Jose Mourinho slams ‘disgraceful’ decision to replace Man City’s European ban with a fine and hits out at his old rival Pep Guardiola

• Jose Mourinho described the decision to overturn Man City’s ban as a ‘disgrace’
• City’s two-year ban was wiped out by CAS after they appealed UEFA’s verdict
• The Premier League side also saw their £27million (€30m) fine reduced to £9m
• Mourinho was left perplexed by CAS’s verdict and believes FFP is ‘truly dead’

By Matt Barlow for MailOnline and Sam Mcevoy For Mailonline, Published: 14 July 2020

Jose Mourinho has launched a blistering attack on the outcome of the Manchester City court case, claiming Financial Fair Play is now dead and that football might as well throw open the ‘circus door’.

The Tottenham boss hit out at the verdict delivered on Monday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to revoke a two-year ban from UEFA competitions but still fine City £9million for failing to cooperate.

Mourinho was perplexed with why City were fined £9m if they were ‘not guilty’ before suggesting that if they were guilty, then their ban from UEFA’s European competitions should be upheld.+5

Jose Mourinho has slammed the decision to overturn Man City’s two-year European ban+5

Mourinho said football might as well throw open the ‘circus door’ after Monday’s ruling

‘In any case it’s a disgraceful decision,’ Mourinho said in his Tuesday press conference when asked about CAS’s verdict. 

‘If Man City is not guilty of it, to be punished by some million is a disgrace. If you’re not guilty you’re not punished. In the other way, if you’re guilty you should be banned. So it’s also a disgraceful decision. In any case, it’s a disaster.

‘If you’re not guilty, you don’t pay. I’m not saying Man City is guilty. I’m saying if you’re not guilty you don’t pay. You are not punished, even with a pound. 

‘I know that money is quite easy for them but it’s just a principle. Why are you paying eight or nine million pounds if you are not guilty? 

‘If they are not guilty the decision is a disgrace. If you are guilty the decision is also a disgrace. If you’re guilty you should be banned from the competition. My criticism is not for Manchester City I’m nobody to know if they’re guilty or not. My criticism is for the decision.’+5

Mourinho said he didn’t understand how City were simultaneously fined and found not guilty+5

Pep Guardiola was elated on Monday after Manchester City’s European ban was overturned

When asked if City got lucky with the decision, Mourinho added: ‘Maybe they got unlucky. Maybe they don’t deserve to be punished by one single pound and they were punished in eight or nine million pounds. Maybe they were unlucky.’  

Mourinho insisted that he was happy with how the north London club operates but claimed ‘the circus door is open’ which will allow everyone to spend whatever they want in future transfer windows.

‘Spurs is Spurs and I don’t think Spurs change this mentality and in this aspect it’s more than correct,’ he added. ‘I’m happy with the way we act here. I think it’s the end of financial fair play.’ 

But he noted the implications for other managers, including Steve Bruce at Newcastle if the proposed Saudi takeover is completed.

‘I am happy Steve is doing well and next season I believe he will be stronger and stronger,’ said Mourinho. ‘With no FFP, maybe a new owner goes there and spends lots of money, gives him even better conditions.

‘I truly believe FFP is gone. So new owners, probably they will have this feeling of the circus opened the door so let’s go and enjoy it.’

Sportsmail understands that any challenge of the ruling by UEFA to the Swiss Federal Courts is ‘unlikely’. 

CAS released their verdict on Monday morning, and said: ‘Most of the alleged breaches reported by the Adjudicatory Chamber of the CFCB (UEFA’S Club Financial Control Body) were either not established or time-barred. +5

City will now be able to compete in the Champions League again next season after the verdict

‘As the charges with respect to any dishonest concealment of equity funding were clearly more significant violations than obstructing the CFCB’s investigations, it was not appropriate to impose a ban on participating in UEFA’s club competitions for MCFC’s failure to cooperate with the CFCB’s investigations alone.’ 

A City statement read: ‘Whilst Manchester City and its legal advisors are yet to review the full ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club welcomes the implications of today’s ruling as a validation of the club’s position and the body of evidence that it was able to present.

‘The club wishes to thank the panel members for their diligence and the due process that they administered.’