Klopp shocked by UEFA's decision to suspend Man City

London : Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp has been left shocked by the news of Manchester City being handed a two-year suspension from the Champions League and he went on to say that he sympathises with coach Pep Guardiola.

"It was a shock. Complete wow," Klopp told Sky Sports when asked for his reaction.

"The only thing I can say is about football. What they have done on the football pitch is exceptional. The rest, I don't know. You believe the people you work with, that's how it is.

"I really feel for them, Pep and the players, but that is how it is. They can appeal so we will see what happens then. It is obviously serious. But

the football they played was exceptional and will always be exceptional."

Manchester City have been barred from competing in European club soccer competitions for the next two seasons and fined 30 million euros ($32.5 million) by European soccer's governing body UEFA after being found guilty of "serious breaches" of its financial fair play rules.

In a statement confirming the decision on Friday, UEFA said: "Having considered all the evidence, Manchester City Football Club committed serious breaches of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations by overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to UEFA between 2012 and 2016."

UEFA also accused the club of refusing to cooperate in the investigation.

"The Adjudicatory Chamber has imposed disciplinary measures on Manchester City Football Club, directing that it shall be excluded from participation in UEFA club competitions in the next two seasons (i.e. the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons) and pay a fine of 30 million euros," the governing body said.

The club, however, may appeal the decision to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"If Manchester City Football Club exercises that right, the full reasoned decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber will not be published prior to publication of the final award by the CAS," UEFA said.

The Premier League club responded to UEFA's decision and in a statement said it was "disappointed but not surprised by today's announcement."

"The club has always anticipated the ultimate need to seek out an independent body and process to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence in support of its position," Man City said.

"In December 2018, the UEFA Chief Investigator publicly previewed the outcome and sanction he intended to be delivered to Manchester City, before any investigation had even begun.

The subsequent flawed and consistently leaked UEFA process he oversaw has meant that there was little doubt in the result that he would deliver," the club said.

"The club has formally complained to the UEFA Disciplinary body, a complaint which was validated by a CAS ruling," Man City said. "Simply put, this is a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged by UEFA."