- Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have reportedly filed legal notices claiming their right to compensation if Manchester City are found to have breached financial rules.
- 115 charges spanning 2009-2018: what could City’s punishment be?
Rubbing Salt Into The Wound
Facing four consecutive losses, Manchester City fans don’t need reminding of the 115 charges looming over their club. Yet that’s exactly what four Premier League clubs have done by claiming their right to compensation if the Blues are found guilty.
Despite a verdict unlikely to be decided this year, the clubs have lodged their claims now to ensure they aren’t excluded from any compensation due to rules around the ‘statute of limitations’.
City lawyers remain firm in their denial of wrongdoing and claim a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” will support this stance.
Nonetheless, the Premier League vultures are circling and ensuring they benefit as much as possible from any guilty outcome.
What Punishment Could Manchester City Face?
With the outcome of 115 separate charges still to be decided, the range of possible punishments is extensive.
According to Premier League rules, they could face:
- Fines of an unspecified amount
- Suspension of the ability to register/unregister players
- Conditional punishment
- Point deductions
- Suspension from league matches
- Any ‘other order as is seen fit’
Essentially the Premier League reserve the right to do as they please with Manchester City – if they are found guilty of most charges.
The main charges revolve around the manipulation of financial fair play rules by failing to provide accurate financial figures – including the alleged misrepresentation of former manager Roberto Mancini’s wages.
They have also charged with failing to cooperate with the Premier League with the investigation.
When Could Punishments Occur?
While the hearing of all charges is meant to conclude at the end of the week, a result is unlikely to be announced until the new year.
Regardless of outcome, both the Premier League and Manchester City will then be able to appeal the decision – which would delay the implementation of any punishments further.
As a result of this, the end of 2025 seems to be a reasonable deadline to expect the case to conclude in its entirety.
Pressing Issues 
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