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Norwich City could have suffered a £43.8million financial hit as a consequence of Manchester City’s rule breaches, according to new analysis of their impact on the Premier League.
That figure relates largely to Norwich’s 18th-place relegation during the 2013/14 season, combining the projected cost of losing Premier League status with the additional merit payments the Canaries might have received by finishing higher.
How much did Man City's rule breaking cost your team? Assessment of the financial impact on the 35 clubs who played in the Premier League 2009-2018. 📌 League placing prize money 📌 Champions League earnings 📌 Europa League payments 📌 Relegation 👇 https://t.co/U3s8EBZAFJ
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonBBC) October 13, 2026
Analysis conducted by BBC Sport has attempted to quantify the potential financial consequences for clubs affected during the period, taking into account lost league placing money, missed European earnings and the cost of relegation.
The calculations are illustrative. They do not establish that Norwich would have survived without Manchester City in the division or suggest the Canaries are entitled to £43.8m in compensation, but instead demonstrate the potential financial impact on clubs whose league positions may have been affected.
Norwich’s relegation in 2013/14 accounts for £39.8m of that £43.8m figure. BBC Sport calculated that remaining in the Premier League would have been worth £64.9m to the Canaries the following season, compared with the £25m they received in parachute payments following relegation.
The remaining sum relates to Premier League merit payments Norwich could potentially have received by finishing one place higher in seasons when they ended the campaign below Manchester City.
That campaign ended a three-year stay in the top flight. Chris Hughton was sacked with five matches remaining after a 1-0 home defeat to West Brom, with the Canaries sitting 17th and five points above the relegation zone after a run of four defeats in five matches.
The research relates mostly to the Canaries relegation in 2013/14, when Neil Adams replaced Chris Hughton as boss.
(Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest)
Neil Adams was handed the managerial reins on a temporary basis following Hughton's departure, but took just a single point during a daunting five game run that included matches against Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. He was subsequently handed the job on a permanent basis that summer.
The verdict on Manchester City has sent shockwaves through English football after an independent commission found the eight time champions guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules during a nine-season period between 2009 and 2018.
Manchester City continue to deny wrongdoing and have announced their intention to appeal, arguing that they have 'a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence' that proves their innocence. Any sanctions will come after the next stage of the process and would be decided by an independent commission.