Four Clubs Could Claim More Than £200m Each From Man City
Four Premier League clubs could reportedly pursue compensation claims worth more than £200 million each against Manchester City, ensuring the queue for money forms before anybody has decided the punishment.
Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are understood to have preserved their right to seek damages relating to City’s alleged financial breaches.
Reports suggest City have been found guilty of almost all the charges brought against them by the Premier League, although the process remains ongoing and no official verdict or sanction has been published.
The club continue to deny wrongdoing and are expected to appeal any adverse decision.
The four rivals reportedly protected their positions under Section W of the Premier League rules before the relevant limitation period expired.
Potential claims could include lost prize money, missed Champions League qualification, commercial opportunities and what lawyers describe as “loss of chance.”
Manchester United finished behind City in the 2011–12 and 2017–18 title races, while Liverpool were runners-up in 2013–14. Arsenal and Tottenham could also argue that City’s position affected their own access to European football and its associated income.
Sources familiar with the situation believe a successful claim could be worth more than £200 million to some individual clubs.
That would not mean City automatically owe four clubs a combined £800 million. No claim has yet succeeded, the amounts would need to be established and legal action could only proceed once the original case and any appeals had concluded.
There is precedent for clubs seeking compensation after financial breaches. Burnley were awarded £35.1 million from Everton earlier this year after successfully arguing that Everton gained a sporting advantage during the season in which Burnley were relegated.
City therefore remain without a confirmed punishment, while four rivals have already ensured they retain the legal right to send an extremely large invoice later.
