Exclusive: PL to implement new rule after Man City 115 charges case

The Premier League could look to bring in new rules ensuring its legal fees are paid for in any court battles it wins after the Manchester City 115 charges case, sources have told Football Insider.

The Times reported on 10 June the Premier League spent just short of £30million on legal counsel in actions against its own clubs last season.

It comes after Everton were docked eight points following two profit and sustainability (PSR) breaches, while Nottingham Forest were handed a four-point deduction for breaking the spending rules.

Premier League officials had attempted to force Everton to settle a £4.9million legal bill for their PSR case, but a commission and appeal board ruled the club were only liable to pay £1.7million of that fee, with the governing body settling the remaining £3.2million.

Football Insider revealed on 5 September the Premier League’s legal fees will rocket again this season following the Man City case.

The English champions were dealt 115 charges by the governing body in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period, with the hearing starting on 16 September and scheduled to last around 10 weeks.

Sources have told Football Insider the Premier League could now propose new rules are brought in to ensure the majority of its legal fees are paid for by a club if they are proven to have committed a financial breach.

Any such measure would need to receive the backing of two-thirds of the top-flight clubs to be approved.

Man City appeal could increase Premier League legal fees

Man City are expected to appeal against any potential punishment after their lawyers have been adamant the club haven’t done anything wrong since the charges were handed out last year, potentially adding to the Premier League’s associated legal costs.

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider the case isn’t likely to reach a full conclusion until the end of 2025 if any appeals are launched against the verdict.

Pep Guardiola’s side have also recently been involved in a legal battle with the Premier League over the associated party transaction (APT) rules, with an arbitration hearing taking place in June.

The panel deemed that two aspects of the rules were unlawful after publishing its decision last month.

Everton, meanwhile, remain in dispute with the Premier League regarding the status of certain costs associated with the building of their new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock and face a further independent committee hearing later this year.

It also remains to be seen whether any clubs have committed a potential spending breach following the charges handed out to Everton and Forest last season.

Several teams were believed to be close to the PSR limit when they submitted their latest accounts for 2023-24, with top-flight sides only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period.

In other news, Man City could launch new Premier League legal challenge – Expert.

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