Manchester United and other Premier League clubs may soon be financially supporting the league’s legal case against Manchester City, according to *The Telegraph*.
This case, which has been unfolding for several years, centers on City’s alleged breaches of league regulations.
A concern for the clubs is that the money they contribute to the case will be “non-recoverable,” meaning they won’t be reimbursed regardless of the outcome.
Manchester City has been charged by the Premier League with 115 violations between 2009 and 2023.
The BBC reports that these include 54 instances of failing to provide accurate financial information between 2009-10 and 2017-18, and 14 instances related to misreporting payments to players and managers.
City is also accused of breaching UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and not cooperating with the Premier League’s investigation from 2018 to 2023.
These allegations were originally reported by German outlet *Der Spiegel*, though City has denied the claims, arguing that the evidence was obtained unlawfully.
At the heart of the case is the allegation that Manchester City inflated sponsorship deals to disguise additional payments to players and managers, giving them a financial edge that contributed to their recent successes, including their 2023 treble win under Pep Guardiola.
The case is expected to be handled privately, with a verdict likely by early 2025. Premier League chief Richard Masters has stressed the need to resolve the matter, which was first made public in February 2023.
If City is found guilty, they could face severe penalties, including possible relegation, significant points deductions, or heavy fines. Some experts have speculated that City could even be stripped of past titles.
This would be of particular interest to Manchester United fans, as United finished second to City in three seasons during the period of the alleged violations.
If City’s titles are revoked, it could spark debate over whether United should be retroactively awarded those championships.
The recent case against Everton, where the Premier League spent £4.7 million in legal fees and imposed a points deduction, could set a precedent for City’s case.
Given the scale of City’s alleged breaches, the legal costs are expected to be much higher, with all 20 Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, sharing the expense through deductions from the league’s central broadcast and commercial revenue.
For United fans, contributing to this case might be seen as worthwhile if it results in sanctions against Manchester City, potentially restoring fairness to the competition after years of perceived financial advantage.
