Manchester City's charges have lingered over the Premier League like a dark cloud, but if things go against City, it could profit Liverpool and other Premier League clubs well
General view of Anfield before the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool endured many sporting battles with Manchester City(Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool and other rivals of Manchester City could pursue claims exceeding £100million in compensation each. This possibility has been suggested following Burnley's landmark legal victory against Everton.
The Clarets were awarded more than £30million - plus interest - from Everton by an independent Premier League commission. It was determined that Everton gained a sporting advantage through breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules, a decision they are currently appealing.
In the case, the commission granted £26million for losses stemming from relegation and £9.1million in interest. According to the commission's judgment, the club "accepted that its breach of the PSR conferred a sporting advantage but disputes both the extent and effect of that advantage".
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Everton presented an expert who maintained "that Burnley had suffered no financial loss following relegation". However, the Clarets' expert witness argued they had lost £51.7m before interest.
Premier League regulations prevent clubs from suing one another through the courts - but they can pursue action through arbitration. And City could potentially face similar sanctions should they be found guilty of serious charges amongst their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League rules.
Four clubs - Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs - issued legal notices to City back in 2024 reserving the right to pursue compensation if they are found guilty.
Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
Man City deny any wrongdoing(Image: Getty Images)
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Should that occur, it paves the way for compensation claims from those clubs, who could argue that the alleged violations handed City sporting advantages over them across several seasons, between 2009 and 2017.
According to The Times, sources close to the process suggest some of those clubs "had calculated potential losses costing significantly more than £100m" - attributable to lost income, not least missing out on Champions League football.
As the Everton case demonstrated, that figure would increase considerably once interest is factored in. Manchester City claimed two Premier League titles and secured Champions League qualification in seven consecutive seasons during the period under scrutiny.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, (L) embraces Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on March 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Guardiola pipped Klopp to the Premier League title on multiple occasions(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
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The ECHO reported on Wednesday that clubs could seek compensation if City are found guilty. City have maintained their innocence throughout proceedings, and City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak recently pledged to speak out once a verdict has been reached.
He said: "Let me be as consistent as I've always been. Until we have a ruling, I can't say much.
"Once we have a ruling, believe me, we're going to have a wonderful sit down together and I'll say everything I've wanted to say for the last three years."