Manchester City could ask Uefa for a delay to their European ban if the coronavirus crisis interferes with their appeal against it.
The Blues had hoped for a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by early summer, having expressed confidence that the independent body will overturn the ban for “serious breaches” of financial fair play rules.
But with Switzerland, where CAS is based, being badly hit by the outbreak, the hearing could be delayed – and that could take it beyond the point at which participating clubs in next season’s European competitions are determined.
The draw for the first qualifying round of the 2020-21 tournament is on June 9, but Uefa will need to know which English teams are to be involved by the time of the group stage draw on August 27.
CAS have confirmed that three cases have already been postponed, but say that they are forging ahead with hearings.
Switzerland, despite having a population a little over a tenth the size of the UK, has had more reported cases of coronavirus and the same number of deaths, according to latest figures.
CAS secretary general Matthieu Reeb said the body is “monitoring the situation closely and continually adapting to the changing circumstances”.
He added: “In-person hearings are still being conducted, where the participants agree to do so.
“When participants are located in high-risk regions, we are offering the possibility of using video or phone links or postponing to a later date.”
Appellants can also request decisions be made “solely on the basis of the written submissions, without a hearing being held”.
He concluded: “For the moment, there has been no significant impact on our operations but we will continue to be vigilant. Only three hearings have been postponed so far.”
City have maintained their innocence all along, and are expected to contest both the basis of Uefa’s evidence against them, and procedural matters relating to the hurried way in which the case was brought.
The Blues have declined to comment on their course of action if their CAS hearing - which does not yet have a date set - does get delayed, but a request to Uefa is the most likely course of action
