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Manchester City and the Premier League are gearing up for a fierce legal battle as the verdict in the Citizens' long-running financial fair play saga draws near, according to fresh reports.
The outcome could shake up the top flight like never before.
An independent commission kicked off proceedings in September last year, wrapping up in December after dissecting 115 charges leveled against Manchester City by the Premier League. The investigation first sparked to life back in 2018, but it wasn't until February 2023, after several legal hold-ups, that the charges were formally laid, and the matter was handed over to the commission.
The accusations cut deep. Manchester City are alleged to have dodged rules requiring clubs to provide accurate financial details, everything from sponsorship deals to manager and player wages.
They're also said to have flouted UEFA's financial regulations and the Premier League's own profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
On top of that, the league claims the Citizens didn't cooperate fully with their probe. The charges span every season from 2009-10 to 2022-23, a hefty chunk of their trophy-laden era.
A decision is expected any day now, and according to The i Paper, it could "significantly change the race for the top five and even the relegation battle." Whispers around the football world suggest that if Manchester City are found guilty of the most serious breaches, they might face a points deduction so severe it could dump them into the relegation zone this season.
But the drama doesn't stop there. The report warns of "legal warfare" on the horizon, with rival clubs potentially lining up to demand compensation if Manchester City are pinned down. Experts are calling it a "crazy situation" for the Premier League, predicting a flood of lawsuits that could rack up legal bills in the nine-figure range, hundreds of millions of pounds, if the charges stick.
Carlos Hurtado, a sports lawyer with Baker McKenzie, told The i Paper the threat of compensation claims against Manchester City is "real and serious."
He pointed to a separate case that's got everyone's attention: Burnley's upcoming bid to extract damages from Everton. The Clarets argue they deserve a payout for lost revenue after slipping into the Championship in 2022, a season when Everton breached PSR but stayed up.
Hurtado admitted Burnley have a "compelling case," though proving it won't be easy. That hearing, set for this summer before a three-person panel, has Premier League clubs watching like hawks.
"It's possible the Burnley and Everton case could set a precedent," Hurtado said. "Clubs that feel they were disadvantaged by Manchester City's alleged breaches might seek compensation. Just like relegation, missing out on European spots or a higher league finish hits club revenues hard. Any claims would hinge on lost opportunities and cash due to rule-breaking."
The stakes couldn't be higher. If Manchester City are hit with a guilty Verdict, the fallout could reshape the Premier League table and spark a legal firestorm.
For now, fans and pundits alike are holding their breath, waiting for the commission to drop the hammer, or let the Citizens off the hook. Either way, football's heavyweights are ready for a fight.
