The Premier League’s seismic victory over Manchester City could spark a series of legal claims worth up to £800million, although the dispute itself may continue for another two years, Daily Mail Sport understands.
This newspaper reported on Friday that City had been found guilty of the ‘vast majority’ of the competition’s 115 charges relating to financial doping. It can now be revealed that the Premier League successfully proved all of its substantive allegations.
City responded on Saturday with a forceful statement from chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, who insisted the club remains confident of clearing its name and ‘proving the club’s innocence’. An appeal is considered inevitable. In a letter to supporters, he added: ‘we have faced challenges before and prevailed’.
Despite City’s position, and with the official verdict yet to be announced, four rival clubs are understood to be preparing their own legal claims.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United formally reserved their right to take action in late 2024 if City were found guilty. The club could now face expulsion from the top flight.
Representatives have already started assessing the scale of their potential claims, arguing that they lost possible income as a result of City’s alleged cheating.
Four Premier League rivals are understood to be preparing legal claims against Manchester City after the club was found guilty of the ‘vast majority’ of its 115 charges
Liverpool and Manchester United were among four clubs that reserved their right to act in 2024 if City were found guilty. Pictured: owners John W Henry and Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak issued a strong statement insisting that the club remains confident of clearing its name and ‘proving the club’s innocence’
Those who believe they have suffered the greatest losses are expected to seek the largest sums. Tottenham, who have missed out on Champions League qualification on several occasions, are thought to be among them.
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People familiar with the situation believe a claim of £200million would not be an unreasonable estimate.
City, however, are expected to challenge a verdict that has sent shockwaves through football.
The club previously used an expensive legal team to overturn a two-year Champions League ban imposed by UEFA in 2020. City had initially been found to have committed ‘serious breaches’ of the governing body’s financial fair play regulations between 2012 and 2016.
That case was heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. CAS is not an available route in the Premier League matter, but an appeal process does exist. Both sides would have to agree to the composition of a new three-person panel, which would decide whether the verdict was sound.
City’s UEFA appeal was led by Paul Harris KC and Lord David Pannick KC. Legal experts have since pointed out that Pannick is regarded primarily as an appellate lawyer who specialises in such cases. With so much at stake, City’s Abu Dhabi ownership is unlikely to leave any avenue unexplored in its attempt to overturn the judgment. Some figures in the legal industry believe the club could turn to the High Court if the appeal fails, potentially delaying a final outcome for another two years.
In his lengthy statement, Al Mubarak appeared to suggest that the process had not been conducted fairly. He urged supporters to read the club’s statement from Friday carefully. It said: ‘The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis that the Premier League Board and Executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair-minded regulator, free from partisan influence.’
Writing to fans, he said: ‘The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club’s innocence is just as strong as when this began.
‘There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position. But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment. Even this letter underwent several legal checks to make sure it complies.
‘While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed. We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity.’
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