Manchester City are reportedly expecting to receive legal notices from several Premier League clubs across the forthcoming weeks. It's said that those in question will reserve their right to seek damages, if the Etihad Stadium outfit are found guilty of breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Last month, the much-anticipated trial to determine whether or not City have breached over 100 of the Premier League's FFP rules started in London. It's almost two years since the Premier League first charged the champions, who strongly deny all such allegations made against them.
The trial, which started on September 16, is set to last around 10 weeks, with the three-person panel selected by Murray Rosen KC not expected to reach an outcome until early 2025. The Telegraph are reporting that, if Premier League clubs - which could include Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur - want to sue City for breaching FFP rules, they must inform the Etihad Stadium outfit of their wish to do so before the end of November.
The Telegraph states that's because claims for breach of contract are usually only eligible in the first six years after allegations have been made.
German publication Der Spiegel first uncovered and put forward allegations of financial wrongdoing in November 2018. Therefore, as per the Limitation Act 1980, clubs across the Premier League will only have until the end of next month to initiate proceedings.
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."