Manchester United not hopeful of Champions League reprieve despite Fifa threat to ban Swiss clubs

Posted Monday, December 19, 2011 by Goal.com

The Red Devils have played down reports that they could be set for a return to Europe's elite competition after governing body threaten to suspend Switzerland from world football

Manchester United officials have said that they are not hopeful of being reinstated to the knockout rounds of the Champions League despite Fifa’s threat to suspend Switzerland's clubs from all competitions.

The threat comes after Swiss side Sion vowed to continue legal action against their expulsion from the Europa League for breaking a transfer embargo.

Sion were put under the embargo over the signing of Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, but they proceeded to sign six players in the summer.

If the Swiss are banned, it would mean that United's conquerors FC Basel would be kicked out of Europe meaning a possible reprieve for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Fifa announced on Saturday that the Swiss FA would be suspended if FC Sion are not sanctioned domestically by 13th January.

Manchester United were beaten by Basel to second place in Group C earlier this month following a famous 2-1 defeat at St. Jakob-Park and were this week drawn against Ajax in the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

Basel were drawn against Bayern Munich in the last 16 during Friday’s draw but United officials are not hopeful of taking their place in that tie.

"We are not holding our breath over this. It does seem a very long shot," an Old Trafford Spokesman told the Daily Express.

Basel vice-president Bernhard Heusler is desperate to avoid expulsion. He said: “I am confident that we will play Bayern Munich but I take the threat very seriously."