PREMIER LEAGUE clubs wishing to sue Manchester City may reportedly have to do soon – and without knowing the outcome of the legal case against the champions.
Etihad chiefs are defending 115 separate alleged breaches of financial fair play rules, with their 10-week hearing set to begin next month.
Legal experts have told The Times that clubs have a six-year deadline to sue for breach of contract.
That deadline is in November after German outlet Der Spiegel published the Football Leaks documents in 2018.
This means that clubs interested in suing Man City for compensation on loss of earnings will have to launch their suit before November and without knowing the outcome of the case.
Man City’s 10-week hearing starts next month and the verdict will not be known until as early as March next year.
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The champs deny wrongdoing and are confident their case will be cleared at the independent inquiry.
The club have been accused of financial impropriety spanning nine years from 2009 and the strongest punishment if found guilty is relegation, while a fine and huge points deduction is also possible.
The Premier League charged City with a failure to provide accurate financial information and accurate details for player and manager payments.
It is believed some clubs have taken legal advice over possible compensation claims, which could total hundreds of millions of pounds.
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If the serious charges against City are proved, clubs could claim for loss of income for missing out on league titles or European competitions over the course of several campaigns.
When Everton were docked points last season for a breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules, the same independent commission was also given the power to rule on compensation claims from rival clubs.
But clubs have been given no assurances that the same arrangement will be set up for City’s case and may have to lodge direct claims.
Man City, like Everton, will have the right to appeal any decision, which means the saga could go on for another year.
A lawyer told The Times: “There is a six-year limitation period under the Limitation Act.
“In which case you must bring the claim within six years of when you could have discovered the breach acting reasonably.
“It could be argued therefore that the six years might begin from Der Spiegel’s first publication.”
Pep Guardiola set for final Man City season
By Martin Blackburn
AFTER eight glorious years of stability, Manchester City now head into an uncertain 12 months.
The FA Cup final defeat to neighbours United was a reminder that this glittering and unforgettable era will not go on for ever.
Around this time in 2025, City will be preparing for the highly-lucrative Fifa Club World Cup in the US.
Yet in all likelihood they will also be getting ready to say their goodbyes to manager Pep Guardiola, who has brought so much success to the east side of Manchester.
Meanwhile, there could be a verdict on 115 charges of financial irregularity which have been levelled at the club by Premier League chiefs.
City continue to deny any wrongdoing and are confident they will be cleared by the independent commission.
Read Martin Blackburn’s full column here.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
