Man City could be forced to pay ‘unlimited compensation’ – Stefan Borson
Manchester City could be forced to pay compensation to some of their fellow Premier League clubs if there are findings against them in their 115 charges case.
That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the independent commission has the power to award “unlimited compensation” to any other parties under the Premier League rules.
Man City were dealt the charges by the governing body in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period.
The hearing date is now believed to have been brought forward to mid-to-late September after it was originally planned to take place in November.
The Times reported on 13 August any Premier League clubs considering “suing” the English champions may have to submit a claim before learning the outcome of the case due to time limits.
Premier League clubs have limited ways to act against Man City
But Borson insisted there are limited ways in which top-flights clubs can take action against each other.
“It’s not suing,” Borson told Football Insider.
“The Premier League clubs agree to only arbitrate disputes between themselves, which is effectively private hearings of the type they are going through with the associated party transactions.
“Likewise, under the FA rules, all parties agree only to arbitration.
“This won’t be suing in the courts and there won’t even be the possibility for appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, so there are very limited ways in which clubs can take action against each other.
“In this case, under the Premier League rules prosecuting City, rule W.51.5 gives the independent commission hearing City’s case the power to award unlimited compensation to any other parties.
“You would think it’s likely that, if there are findings against City, that the clubs would want to explore routes in which they could indeed get compensation out of either the independent commission themselves or at a follow-up arbitration down the line.
“It is going to be very complicated if there are findings against City and other clubs express a desire to seek compensation.
“That process in itself is going to be extraordinarily complex and time consuming.
“At the moment, we really have got no collar on how that might work.”
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