Sheffield United await the outcome of key legal proceedings which could enhance their Champions League prospects

Manchester City’s appeal against a two year ban from European competition is scheduled to start at the Court of Arbitration for Sport on June 8, with the hearing listed to take three days.

The suspension was imposed when UEFA, European football’s governing body, found City guilty of “serious breaches” of its club licencing and financial fair play regulations. An investigation was launched when German newspaper Der Spiegel published a series of leaked documents alleging the value of a sponsorship agreement had been deliberately inflated to mislead officials in Nyon. City deny any wrongdoing and labelled UEFA’s findings, which were released in February, as “prejudicial”.

United, who have not played since March because of the Covid-19 outbreak, will move to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea with nine matches remaining if they beat Aston Villa when English football returns to action on June 17.

Although Chris Wilder’s men would ordinarily have to overhaul Frank Lampard’s side to guarantee themselves entry into the CL, the parameters are set to change if City fail to overturn their ban because Pep Guardiola’s team currently sit in second.

CAS has stated that its investigation will be held in camera, with some evidence set to be considered via videolink because of social distancing and travel restrictions designed to curb the spread of the virus.

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