Jurgen Klopp: City Champions League return not a good day for football
Jurgen Klopp has said CAS' decision to overturn Manchester City’s ban from the Champions League does not represent a good day for football.
In February, City were handed a two-year ban from the competition as well as a €30m fine for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, with the club subsequently being investigated for disguising the injection of private wealth from the Abu Dhabi Group as sponsorship money.
However, on Monday that decision was reversed, with the ban revoked and fine being reduced to €10m after City were found not guilty of the disguise of money, but guilty of not complying with the investigation.
Klopp, although content that a rival for the league next season will have another major competition to focus on, doesn’t necessarily agree with the outcome from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"I am happy that City can play in the Champions League but I don't think it was a good day for football yesterday, to be honest," the German said on Tuesday.
"Just because I think FFP is a good idea. It's there for protecting teams, protecting the competition.
"That was the idea at the start, that nobody overspends and stuff like this. Clubs have to make sure that money they want to spend is based on the right sources."
Even though many fans and pundits are now questioning the very existence of FFP, Klopp hopes that the regulations to remain.
"I really hope that FFP stays because it gives at least kind of borders that you can go to but not over, which is good for football,” he added.
City remain involved in this season’s Champions League, with a last-16 second-leg clash versus Real Madrid the next obstacle to navigate.