Action Images via REUTERS/ Jason Cairnduff
Following the reports on Friday afternoon that Manchester City had been found guilty on 114 charges of breaching the Premier League's financial fair play rules, rival clubs are circling to see how they can benefit from any possible punishments.
The charges were first brought against the Citizens in 2023, with all 115 of the possible charges relating to a nine-year period, spanning from the 2008/09 season until the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
The guilty verdict has reportedly been given over two years later, but Manchester City declined to comment on whether these reports were true, and whether they had been informed of a decision yet by the Premier League and the independent commission panel.
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Possible punishments haven't been made known yet, with suggestions ranging from retrospective points deductions applied to the years the charges relate to, which would strip City of numerous titles, or points deductions for future seasons and potentially even relegation to the lower tiers of English Football.
If the Premier League were to apply points deductions to previous years, which clubs would benefit, and specifically, which clubs would have qualified for the Champions League instead of City?
Manchester City Badge on the floor
Manchester City Badge on the floor
2010/11 Season - Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Redknapp in a suit
The 2010/11 season was the first year that saw Manchester City qualify for the Champions League. Roberto Mancini's City side finished third in that season, with 71 points, nine more than fifth-placed Spurs. The London club were managed by Harry Redknapp at the time, and they would have been playing in the Champions League the following season, had the charges been applied to City.
2011/12 Season - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool - Premier League
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Luka Modric of Tottenham Hotspur controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on September 18, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Two years in a row, Tottenham should've qualified for Champions League football; however, this year is a little more complex to understand. City won the title this season, beating their rivals Manchester United to the title due to their superior goal difference. Harry Redknapp's Spurs side did finish inside the Champions League places, but due to sixth-placed Chelsea winning the competition, Spurs had their place stolen by their London rivals.
2012/13 Season - Tottenham Hotspur
Jermain Defoe - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur v Reading - Barclays Premier League - White Hart Lane - 12/13 - 1/1/13 Jermain Defoe - Tottenham Hotspur Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter Cziborra
It doesn't get much better for Spurs as, once again, they are the side that should've been playing in the Champions League had it not been for City allegedly breaking the rules. The side was managed by André Villas-Boas during this season, and they recorded their record points tally in a campaign, finishing on 72 points. They finished in fifth place, just one point behind their rivals Arsenal.
2013/14 Season - Everton
Everton's 3-3 Premier League draw with Liverpool in 2013
It's the first new entry on the list, and it's the Toffees who would have seen themselves playing Champions League football if it wasn't for City. Everton had said goodbye to manager David Moyes in the summer before the season got underway, as the Scotsman replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Everton brought in Roberto Martinez as his replacement, having left Wigan Athletic, who were relegated the season before despite winning the FA Cup. The Blues finished in fifth place, seven points behind Arsenal, and Goodison Park missed out on the chance to host Champions League football.
2014/15 Season - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham vs Arsenal 2015, Kane scores
Normality resumes, as it is once again Tottenham who would have taken City's place in the Champions League if they were sanctioned. It was their first season under Mauricio Pochettino, who had left Southampton. Spurs finished six points behind fourth-place Manchester United, as Harry Kane introduced himself to Spurs at White Hart Lane that season.
2015/16 Season - Manchester United
Manchester United celebrate winning the 2016 FA Cup
Manchester United appear on the list for the first time, narrowly missing out on Champions League football to City on goal difference. United, managed by Louis van Gaal at the time, were winners of the FA Cup that year, and could've added the cherry on top to a strong season had City been found guilty of their breaches. The Red Devils were unbeaten against their rivals during the season, drawing 0-0 at Old Trafford before Marcus Rashford was the difference at the Etihad in the reverse fixture.
2016/17 Season - Arsenal
arsene-wenger-danny-welbeck-arsenal-fa-cup-trophy
It's the first time Arsenal appear on the list, having qualified for the competition in all the previous years that the Manchester City charges relate to. Arsène Wenger's side finished in fifth place, with only three points separating them from City in third. The Gunners did win the FA Cup this year, although they suffered a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, losing 10-2 on aggregate. It was the first time Arsenal had finished outside the top four since the 1995/96 season, and it wouldn't have even happened if City were sanctioned.
2017/2018 - Chelsea
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger and N'Golo Kante
Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg - FC Barcelona vs Chelsea - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - March 14, 2018 Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger and N'Golo Kante REUTERS/Albert Gea
For the final entry on this list, it is a team that hasn't featured yet. Chelsea finished fifth in the 2017/18 season under the management of Antonio Conte, who had guided the Blues to the Premier League title just the season before. There was some silverware during the season, as Eden Hazard's penalty at Wembley ensured that Chelsea lifted the FA Cup trophy. It was the first season since 199798 that the side were without club captain John Terry, and Conte was sacked after the season had ended.
Therefore, it is Tottenham who have suffered the most from Manchester City's alleged financial fair play breaches, with the north London side missing out on Champions League football four times.