Manchester City’s hearing with the Premier League over alleged financial rule breaches is expected to conclude in mid-November.
Several of City’s Premier League rivals are reportedly holding onto the option to seek compensation if the club is found guilty of breaking financial regulations. This follows a 2018 report from Der Spiegel claiming City violated Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, leading to an investigation by the Premier League and the filing of 115 charges against the club in February 2023.
The hearing into these allegations began in September and is scheduled to wrap up this month, with the independent panel’s decision anticipated early next year. According to The Times, unnamed Premier League clubs are preparing to take action should City be deemed guilty.
In the UK, a six-year statute of limitations generally restricts contract dispute claims after this period. By reserving the right to seek compensation before this deadline, clubs would retain the ability to pursue claims through arbitration at a later date.
Some rivals could argue for compensation on the basis of lost revenue, claiming City may have unfairly won titles. Although Premier League rules prohibit clubs from suing one another directly, they can pursue claims via arbitration under Rule X. Lawyers have advised these clubs that waiting until after a verdict might bar them from seeking damages due to the statute of limitations, but by reserving the right now, they preserve the option to act later.
City has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining they have “irrefutable evidence” to clear their name. Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United are among the clubs that have missed out on Premier League titles won by City.
