Man City 115 charges twist as Premier League rivals 'prepare compensation bid'

Some of Manchester City's Premier League rivals have reportedly reserved the right to claim compensation should the Blues be found guilty of breaching financial rules.

In November 2018, a report from the Der Spiegel publication claimed City had been breaching the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules in the Premier League. This led to an investigation by the top flight and 115 charges being presented against the club in February 2023.

It took until September of this year for the hearing into these alleged breaches to begin with the two month hearing set to end this month. The verdict from the independent panel is expected early next year but according to The Times, unnamed rivals of City are preparing to take action should they be found guilty.

READ MORE: City financial charges request revealed

READ MORE: Wenger predicts major Premier League U-turn

In the UK, there is a six-year statute of limitations which blocks appeals for contract disputes after this time. However, reserving the right for compensation prior to this deadline means clubs can challenge City through arbitration at a later date.

Some Premier League rivals may choose to seek compensation for loss of income should City have won the Premier League unfairly. Clubs cannot sue each other through the courts under Premier League rules but they can do so through arbitration under Rule X.

Lawyers have informed Premier League clubs that if they waited until after the verdict to push for compensation, they could be out of time due to the statute of limitations. However, reserving this right does not necessarily mean clubs will seek compensation but does keep the option on the table.

City have always denied wrongdoing over the alleged charges and insist they have 'irrefutable evidence' which would clear their names. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are among the teams to have been denied silverware by City in the Premier League.