Manchester United could be among the clubs to benefit financially if Manchester City are ordered to compensate rivals after being found guilty of serious Premier League financial rule breaches.
An independent commission found City guilty of the charges relating to the nine-season period between 2009/10 and 2017/18. The Premier League said the club used “sham” commercial agreements to inflate revenue and reduce costs, with the findings also covering breaches of reporting and cooperation duties. City have denied wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict.
City won three Premier League titles during the period under investigation, along with other major honours. That has now opened a much wider debate about what punishment could follow and whether clubs that were financially disadvantaged should receive compensation.
Manchester United among clubs potentially affected
Estimates by Shields Gazette suggest as many as 38 clubs could have grounds to seek compensation based on lost Premier League prize money from finishing below City during the relevant seasons.
Manchester United are among the clubs said to have potentially missed out on significant prize money, while Everton could have one of the largest estimated claims. Newcastle United, West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also believed to be among the clubs that could be affected.
The figures remain estimates rather than confirmed compensation payments. No sanction has yet been announced, and City’s appeal means the case is far from finished.
Manchester United, however, have a potentially important financial angle. If compensation becomes part of the eventual punishment, the club could benefit from money linked to prize positions it might otherwise have occupied.
That would be separate from the ongoing debate over whether City should lose titles or face sporting sanctions. United and the other affected clubs must wait for the appeal process and the eventual punishment.
