Four Premier League clubs get early heads-up about Man City guilty verdict as compensation choice is made
Manchester United was one of four Premier League clubs told about the independent commission’s guilty verdict on Man City’s financial rule breaches from 2009 to 2018 before the rest of the league—and there’s a good reason for that.
City was found guilty of 114 rule breaches. The Premier League said on September 29 that City used fake contracts to boost revenue numbers and cut costs, along with hidden funding deals worth over £830 million with business partners. The commission also found City guilty in almost all charges about not cooperating with the investigation, saying some club witnesses gave false and dishonest evidence.
Earlier news came out from The Athletic’s David Ornstein on September 25. According to The Telegraph, Liverpool, Man United, Tottenham, and Arsenal were contacted before the other 15 clubs. Their leaders had to sign a non-disclosure agreement to see the information.
The report added that in September 2024, just before a six-year deadline to seek damages for City, these four clubs told City they might take legal action. They had legal teams ready to ask for compensation before the time limit ran out, after the original financial disclosures appeared in a German magazine, Der Spiegel. There was no way for other clubs to communicate with the commission to learn if compensation would be part of any ruling or punishment.
On October 6, more reports said many clubs want City to face past and current punishments, not just a single points deduction.
City has appealed the guilty verdict. A panel of three people will hear the appeal, expected to finish in about 12 weeks, with results announced within 30 days after that. Possible punishments for City include being banned from the league, losing points, replaying matches, expulsion, paying other clubs compensation, automatic relegation, or losing titles.
City denies any wrongdoing and says they have strong evidence supporting their case.
The eight-time Premier League champions will play Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, October 11. No City player has spoken about the verdict yet, but coach Enzo Maresca might address it at a press conference on Friday, October 9.
Earlier today, former City captain Kyle Walker talked about the verdict on talkSPORT. He said the situation “doesn’t look great,” but also reminded people the Premier League can’t take away the joy of winning trophies from the players.
He said: “Obviously it doesn’t look great. I know it’s at the appeal stage, so commenting on the legal side probably wouldn’t help me or anyone involved. But on a personal level, we’ve had many great years celebrating trophies, and that’s something no one can take away from us. Whatever happens, it’s down to the appeal now.”
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!