‘RIP FFP’ trends on Twitter after Man City’s European ban is lifted

Following the news of Manchester City‘s successful appeal against their two-year Champions League ban, rival fans were left more than fuming at the decision.

And that was certainly highlighted when ‘RIP FFP’ was spotted trending on Twitter with rival fans claiming that UEFA’s spending restrictions were dead after City’s European ban was lifted.

Pep Guardiola and everyone associated with City breathed a huge sigh of relief on Monday morning as the verdict was heard, meaning they are free to continue competing against Europe’s elite.

Pep Guardiola breathed a huge sigh of relief as Manchester City’s European ban was lifted

Gary Lineker asked the question how can UEFA survive the decision to let Manchester City off

‘RIP FFP’ was spotted trending on Twitter after City’s two-year European ban was lifted

But fans of rival clubs, including Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester were left hugely angered by the decision with the trio of clubs knowing that only a top four finish will do now in the race for Champions League football.

And former England international Gary Lineker asked the question how UEFA can survive this decision.

The Match of the Day pundit wrote on Twitter: ‘Hard to see how UEFA’s FFP rules can survive this. In fact, can UEFA survive the ramifications?’

One United supporter took to Twitter to slam the verdict: ‘It’s not a surprise that Man City haven’t been banned. UEFA is as dodgy as the club itself if not more. But we all knew that already. 

‘All the decision has done is completely lose the integrity of the Financial Fair Play rule. RIP FFP’

Another fan wrote on Twitter: ‘RIP FFP! You lived and died… without doing anything meaningful!’

Another joked: ‘RIP FFP 2011-2020. Gone too soon #mancity @UEFA.’  

But despite coming in for huge criticism, UEFA are adamant that financial fair play rules will continue.

Former winger John Barnes claimed financial fair play rules should be replaced by a salary cap

‘UEFA takes note of the decision taken by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reduce the sanction imposed on Manchester City FC by UEFA’s independent Club Financial Control Body for alleged breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play regulations.

‘UEFA notes that the CAS panel found that there was insufficient conclusive evidence to uphold all of the CFCB’s conclusions in this specific case and that many of the alleged breaches were time-barred due to the 5 year time period foreseen in the UEFA regulations.

‘Over the last few years, Financial Fair Play has played a significant role in protecting clubs and helping them become financially sustainable and UEFA and ECA remain committed to its principles. UEFA will be making no further comments on the matter.’

Meanwhile, former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes took to Twitter to give his opinion on the matter, claiming financial fair play should instead be replaced by a salary cap.

Barnes wrote on social media: ‘Happy for City with decision being overturned… ffp now being called in to question… simple solution forget ffp… bring in salary cap for all teams and problem solved.

‘if teams breach those rules which is easier to prove, hit them hard and they won’t just like in US SPORTS.’