Manchester United and other Premier League teams might soon start financially supporting the league’s ongoing legal action against Manchester City, according to *The Telegraph*. This legal battle, which has been in progress for several years, revolves around allegations that Manchester City breached various league regulations.
The Premier League has charged Manchester City with 115 violations occurring between 2009 and 2023. According to the BBC, these violations include 54 counts of failing to provide accurate financial information from the 2009-10 season through to 2017-18 and 14 instances of misreporting payments to players and managers. Additionally, City is accused of violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and of not cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation over the same period.
These allegations were first brought to light by the German publication *Der Spiegel*, but Manchester City has denied them, arguing that the evidence was obtained illegally. The central issue in the case is the claim that Manchester City inflated sponsorship deals to cover up extra payments made to players and managers. This purportedly gave them a competitive advantage that contributed to their recent successes, including their treble-winning season under Pep Guardiola in 2023.
The case is expected to be resolved privately, with a verdict anticipated by early 2025. Premier League chief Richard Masters has emphasized the urgency of concluding this matter, which was initially made public in February 2023. Should Manchester City be found guilty, they could face serious repercussions such as relegation, significant points deductions, heavy fines, or even the stripping of past titles. For Manchester United fans, this outcome is particularly relevant as United finished as runners-up to City in three seasons during the period of the alleged breaches. If City’s titles were revoked, it could lead to debates about whether Manchester United should be retroactively awarded those championships.
The recent case against Everton, which saw the Premier League spend £4.7 million on legal fees and impose a points deduction, could serve as a precedent for Manchester City’s case. Given the scope of Manchester City’s alleged violations, the legal costs are expected to be significantly higher. All 20 Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, will likely share these costs through deductions from the league’s central broadcast and commercial revenue.
For Manchester United fans, the prospect of contributing financially to this legal action may be deemed worthwhile if it results in penalties against Manchester City. Such sanctions could help restore perceived fairness in the league after years of financial dominance by City.