There will have to be some form of ban, even if its reduced for one season, otherwise UEFA's FFP may as well be scrapped.
UEFA have done their job and applied a punishment that sends out a strong statement. What happens beyond that, is out of their hands to an extent.
Well they have changed the QC because City will finish in the top 4 and unless CAS overturn the UEFA decision, then a team OUTSIDE the top 4 will take City's place. On the other point you made in saying teams needed to know the score so they can plan ahead,well UEFA's decisions aren't made quicker to help other teams. May be for the sake of expediency but not to give any club any help.
It's not to help teams, but it's their competition, and they need to know what teams will participate before it starts. The draw for the 1st qualifying round is just a couple of weeks after Istanbul. Personally, I think it will be decided in April. But they can't afford to wait until May 18 to announce their decision in case it upsets Burnley or someone in the chasing pack.
The criteria has not changed. If the sanction is upheld, it's a straightforward process of just replacing one team name with the next in line.
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