Man City given major 115 charges update as Manchester United and Liverpool launch legal challenge

The hearing to determine whether Manchester City are guilty of 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is set to end next week. And already, City's rivals are circling to recoup damages if the Blues are punished.

City were charged with 115 counts of breaching the Premier League's Financial Fair Play rules in February 2023, and have always denied all accusations against them. A trial slated to last ten weeks began in September, with that timeline running until the end of next week.

A verdict is expected in the New Year, but City have reportedly learned that some of their biggest rivals are already moving to launch a legal challenge to receive compensation in the event that the Premier League prove the club intentionally broke the rules.

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A report in the Times this week claims Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have 'lodged legal notices reserving the right to claim compensation' if City are found guilty of the more serious charges. It is added that the the notices had been lodged now over concerns that the clubs could be out of time to do so under the statute of limitations if they waited for an outcome in the case.

The clubs are reported to have been advised that the six-year statute of limitations could potentially date back to November 2018, when German magazine Der Spiegel first published allegations against City which prompted the Premier League to open an investigation.

The Times said the clubs could look to claim compensation under the league’s arbitration rules in the event City are found guilty of some of the serious charges facing them.

Former United manager Jose Mourinho joked recently that he could still be entitled to a Premier League winner's medal - and a bonus from United - if City were stripped of titles including when he was in charge at Old Trafford.

City are charged with failing to report accurate financial information for nine seasons stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18, as well as failing to provide full details of former manager Roberto Mancini’s pay between 2009-10 and 2012-13.

They are also charged with failing to provide full details of remuneration in contracts with players between 2010-11 and 2015-16, and with failing to co-operate with the investigation over a period from 2018 to 2023.

The club deny any wrongdoing and have previously said they have a “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” to support their stance.