English Premier League side Manchester City believe that Arsenal was behind the campaign to have them banned from UEFA Champions League. 

In February, City were given a two-year suspension alongside a £25 million fine after an investigation into an alleged breach of Financial Fair Play regulations.

English newspaper The Mirror reports that Manchester City believe that Arsenal instigated an eight-club-strong campaign to convince the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that they should remain excluded.

The report further suggests that Arsenal compelled other Premier League sides to pressurise the CAS by writing to them directly, to argue that City shouldn’t be allowed to compete without a successful appeal.

Alongside the Gunners, the clubs involved include table-toppers Liverpool, local rivals Manchester United, and other Champions League hopefuls like Chelsea, Leicester and Wolves.

Arsenal have not yet commented on whether they instigated this move against City, and The Mirror understands that they will deny such involvement if they are asked directly about the matter.

City have made it clear from the beginning that they plan to appeal the decision and still hope to play in next season’s Champions League, but of course, COVID-19 is getting in the way.