Four Premier League clubs could reportedly pursue more than £200 million in compensation from Manchester City if the club’s financial charges verdict is ultimately upheld.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to have taken steps under Section W of the Premier League regulations to protect their potential claims over financial losses they believe resulted from City’s alleged breaches.
The potential claims could cover lost opportunities in the Premier League and Champions League, as well as other commercial and financial consequences.
Manchester United finished runners-up to City in the 2011-12 and 2017-18 Premier League seasons, while Liverpool missed out on the league title in 2013-14. City also maintained Champions League qualification during the period examined in the investigation.
However, the possible compensation claims may go beyond individual seasons in which clubs missed out on trophies. Lawyers could reportedly consider “loss of chance” arguments relating to later campaigns, commercial opportunities and other financial losses.
Arsenal are reportedly understood to have been the first club to preserve their right to pursue compensation, followed by Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United. Other Premier League clubs have also reportedly sought legal advice over potential claims.
The situation remains complicated by legal time limits. Clubs that failed to formally preserve their rights before the relevant deadline could face difficulties, although lawyers may argue that the Premier League proceedings form part of a single case that began before the limitation period expired.
There is also a recent precedent involving Burnley and Everton. In June, an independent commission ordered Everton to pay Burnley £35.1 million after determining that Everton’s breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules provided a sporting advantage during the 2021-22 season.
Any compensation action against Manchester City would be a separate legal process and could only move forward after the underlying Premier League case and any appeals have been concluded.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the verdict relating to the Premier League’s financial charges. The club has maintained that its position remains unchanged while the wider process continues.
For now, the potential compensation claims involving Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham remain dependent on the final outcome of Manchester City’s case and the appeals process.
