Liverpool FC along with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur, have taken preliminary steps to file compensation claims if Manchester City is found guilty of breaching financial rules.
The Times reports that all four clubs could have “taken the step of formally registering possible compensation claims via arbitration,” a move made to preserve their right to seek damages if Man City are found at fault on any of the 115 charges against them.
These actions were reportedly taken after advisement from legal experts on the six-year statute of limitations, which required affected clubs to file notices before November 2018.
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By registering claims now, the clubs avoid risking outdated lawsuits once the independent regulatory commission reaches its verdict – a process expected to take until at least early next year.
The allegations against Manchester City cover a span of nearly a decade, from 2009 to 2018, during which time the club is accused of multiple breaches of financial fair play regulations.
Millions at stake: Clubs demand justice
If the charges are substantiated, the four clubs involved could pursue compensation for lost revenue from missed Premier League titles, Champions League qualifications, or other potential achievements influenced by City’s alleged misconduct.
Analysts believe that compensation claims could amount to hundreds of millions of pounds in cumulative damages, given the significant financial impact of league placements and tournament qualifications.
The Times add that,
“if the charges against City are proven, clubs could claim for loss of income for missing out on the league title, qualification for the Champions League or other European competitions over the course of several seasons, which could total hundreds of millions of pounds.”
Premier League giants vs. Man City
Liverpool’s contention is particularly notable, as they finished second to Manchester City in the 2013/14 season.
Tottenham and Arsenal also missed out on Champions League qualifications during this period, and Manchester United placed second twice – once in the 2011/12 season and again in 2017/18 – as City secured three league titles in the contested years.
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The report notes that the “clubs involved all declined to comment,” on the specifics of their claims. But this development signals a potential wave of legal disputes if the charges against Manchester City hold.
For English Football and the Premier League, this represents an unprecedented situation, with potential consequences reverberating across the league.
The league could be on the brink of a historic decision, with millions in potential compensation claims hanging in the balance. Until a verdict is reached, however, these cases remain contingent upon the findings of the ongoing investigation.
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