Arsenal 'planning' response to Man City 115 charges verdict and could land £200m cash injection
Arsenal await the official outcome of the Man City charges case(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Premier League has been thrust into uncertainty after it emerged that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges against them for breaking Premier League financial rules. While they are set to appeal that decision, their rivals wait with bated breath over what sanctions now lie in wait.
City are still set to appeal but it is believed a hearing to decide a punishment could still be held relatively swiftly. The appeal process may not be completed until after the end of the season, however.
A number of punishments are available, with a fine, points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League all possibilities. It is even reported by The Times that City could be stripped of Premier League titles from the period during which the rules were breached, 2009 to 2018, though it is described as unlikely.
However, Arsenal are reported to be among a number of clubs who are considering legal action. The Independent claims that the Gunners, alongside Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham have already preserved their right to claim compensation surrounding the loss of earnings they suffered due to City's success with a potential £200m claim in the offing. It is reported those clubs are now 'planning' to launch an action.
During that period, Manchester United finished as runners-up in 2011/12 and 2017/18, while Liverpool came second in 2013/14. City qualified for the Champions League in each of the seasons, too.
However, the report claims that legal action could also focus on 'loss of chance' in subsequent campaigns. Arsenal twice finished as runner-up to Manchester City in 2022/23 and 2023/24.
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It is possible that the Gunners missed out on various bonuses that could have come with a league title win in addition to further earnings from the Premier League. Any legal action can only take place at the conclusion of the case, once the appeals process has been exhausted, however.
Mikel Arteta was at Manchester City during some the period covered by the Premier League charges. The Spaniard spent three years as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at City from 2016 until 2019 before becoming Arsenal boss in December of that year.
Following the initial reports on Friday, City, who have maintained their innocence throughout the process, only said that the process was ongoing.
A statement from City read: “The Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality. As such Manchester City FC’s position remains consistent with the club’s statement of February 2023.
“The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”
In the 2023 club statement, City said the were 'surprised' by the Premier League's decision to bring charges. They added that "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".
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