Man City 115 Charges Exclusive: Premier League face crushing blow
Manchester City’s ongoing 115 charges case is likely to take the Premier League’s legal fees beyond £100million for this season, sources have told Football Insider.
Man City were dealt the charges by the Premier League in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
They are alleged to have concealed payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue, with the independent panel now considering its verdict after the hearing took place between September and December last year.
The Premier League’s accounts for 2023-24 have revealed its administrative expenses increased from £123.7million in 2022-23 to £200.2million last season.
Sources say up to £100million of those expenses are likely to have been legal fees following the Premier League’s efforts to enforce its FFP rules.
Everton and Nottingham Forest were deducted points in 2023-24 after they were found to have breached the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Meanwhile, Man City have been locked in another legal battle with the Premier League after challenging its sponsorship rules, with the hearing taking place last June.
The associated party transaction (APT) rules in force between 2021 and 2024 were later deemed “void and unenforceable” by the tribunal overseeing the case.
The Premier League voted through amendments to the sponsorship rules last November that still stand, but they are also the subject of a legal challenge from Man City, further adding to the league’s hefty legal bill.
Premier League clubs face funding blow after Man City legal action
The verdict in Man City’s 115 charges case is likely to be delivered within the next few weeks.
The English champions are expected to appeal against any potential punishment if they are found guilty of any of the charges, while the Premier League could also challenge the decision depending on the outcome.
Despite being charged by the Premier League for exceeding the £105million spending limit over a three-year period in 2022-23, Leicester City avoided a points deduction after exploiting a loophole in the rules.
However, that case is still ongoing as the two parties remain in arbitration following the club’s breach.
Sources say the Premier League’s ongoing cases are likely to take its legal bill beyond £100million for 2024-25.
Premier League clubs could land a funding blow as a result of those heavy legal expenses, with the money potentially coming out of the distribution pot for next season and beyond.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool | 30 | 73 | +43 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 30 | 61 | +30 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 30 | 57 | +15 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 30 | 52 | +17 |
| 5 | Man City | 30 | 51 | +17 |
| 6 | Newcastle United | 29 | 50 | +10 |
Man City set for £38m hit after Premier League blow
Man City are set for a £38million hit in prize money themselves this season following their disappointing campaign.
The Manchester giants raked in £152million after winning the Premier League for a fourth successive campaign and reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2023-24.
However, that figure is set to drop significantly this season following their top-flight struggles and early exit from the Champions League in the knockout round play-offs.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table heading into the final few weeks of the campaign.
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