Man United among four Premier League clubs notified of Man City’s guilty verdict early

Man United among four Premier League clubs notified of Man City’s guilty verdict early Manchester United were one of four Premier League clubs notified early of Manchester City’s guilty verdict after reserving the right to seek compensation over City’s financial breaches. According to The Telegraph , Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur were also informed before the Premier League emailed the remaining 15 teams on September 25. Executives at those clubs were required to sign non-disclosure agreements before accessing the verdict. The four clubs took legal steps in September 2024, shortly before the six-year deadline to notify City of their intention to pursue damages following a guilty verdict. Each club instructed legal counsel to formally reserve its right to seek compensation. At the time, Premier League clubs had no way of asking the independent commission whether compensation claims would influence its judgment or any punishment handed to City. Other clubs, including Chelsea, chose not to submit similar notices. That wouldn’t stop them from seeking compensation, but the process could become more complicated. The commission found City guilty of all but one of the Premier League charges brought against them. The main document ran to 40 pages, with several sections heavily redacted. Extensive appendices haven’t been published, but they could be important when assessing individual compensation claims. The identities of the commission members also haven’t been disclosed, as City face severe financial consequences. Burnley received a £35 million compensation award against Everton after the Toffees were charged with breaching financial rules in 2021/22. City have confirmed they will appeal their verdict, arguing serious errors of law, principle and fact. They also insist they have a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence to support their case. Under Premier League rules, a newly appointed three-person appeal commission must deliver its decision within 12 weeks, setting January 21 as the deadline. The original commission concluded that City benefited by more than £920m between 2009 and 2018. Around £830m was linked to sponsorship agreements described as sham contracts, allegedly inflated through funds channelled from the club’s owner, the Abu Dhabi United Group.