Manchester United could be among the clubs with a potential financial claim against Manchester City following the initial verdict in the Premier League’s long-running financial case.
An independent commission has reportedly found City guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought by the Premier League, covering the period between 2009 and 2018. No sanction has yet been decided, and City are expected to appeal the findings. David Ornstein has reported the news about City’s guilty charge.
The verdict could nevertheless open another route for clubs which believe they suffered financially because of City’s alleged breaches. The argument would centre on prize money and league positions, with clubs potentially claiming they finished lower than they otherwise would have done.
Manchester United finished as runners-up to City twice during the period covered by the case. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham also occupied positions below City during some of those seasons and could potentially examine whether they suffered a financial loss.
Burnley compensation case sets a precedent
The possibility of rival clubs pursuing compensation has become more significant following the separate case involving Burnley and Everton.
Burnley were awarded more than £35 million after successfully arguing that Everton’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach contributed to their relegation from the Premier League in 2021/22. The award included damages and interest, although Everton have appealed the decision.
That ruling was the first case in which one Premier League club was ordered to compensate another over a financial rules breach. It has therefore created a precedent that could be relevant to any future claims connected to the City case.
For United, the historical impact is particularly notable. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side finished second to City in 2011/12 and 2017/18. Any attempt to seek damages would have to establish a financial loss caused by the breaches, rather than simply point to City’s league position.
Claims by United or other clubs are therefore possible, but the scale and success of any such action would depend on how the legal and sporting consequences of the commission’s findings develop.
