Man City 115 charges update as key deadline passes to impact Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs

A number of Premier League clubs have, reportedly, reserved their right to claim financial damages IF Manchester City are found guilty of breaching the competition's financial rules (FFP).

An independent hearing into the 115 charges case began in September and, according to ESPN, is expected to last around two months, with a final verdict set to be reached in time for the 2025/2026 season.

However, as per reports from The Times, several Premier League clubs have now been advised by their lawyers to begin legal proceedings and reserve a right to seek out compensation, in case of a guilty verdict. However, it must be stressed City strongly deny all allegations they are facing up to from between 2009 and 2018.

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In the UK, there is a six-year statute of limitations which blocks appeals for contract disputes after this time. However, reserving the right for compensation prior to this deadline means clubs can challenge City through arbitration at a later date - in the event they are found guilty.

It's claimed that if clubs had waited until after a (potential) guilty verdict to seek out a push for compensation, there's a "risk" that any proposed lawsuit could be outdated in accordance with UK law.

If any charges result in a guilty verdict, clubs across the division could miss out on a loss of earnings claims for Premier League titles and/or European places lost at City's expense during the time of the alleged wrongdoing.

Arsenal finished second, four points behind City in the 2014/15 season under Arsene Wenger, and were denied a spot in the Champions League during the Frenchman's penultimate season at the club when Chelsea, Tottenham, City and Liverpool all finished ahead of the Gunners.

Chelsea, meanwhile, finished fifth in 2018 behind Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and champions City.

The charges against City cover a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018, a time-frame that saw the club pick up three Premier League titles. City, it must be stressed, have vehemently denied breaching any FFP rules and, when the charges were announced in February 2023, said: "Manchester City FC is surprised by the issuing of these alleged breaches of the Premier League rules, particularly given the extensive engagement, and a vast amount of detailed materials that the EPL has been provided with."

At the time, their initial statement continued: "The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position. As such, we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all."