Why Manchester City's Premier League hearing may have a financial impact on Manchester United

In their legal dispute with Manchester City, Manchester United may be required to pay a portion of the Premier League's legal fees. Today (Monday) marked the beginning of the hearing into City's 115 allegations related to suspected violations of the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009 and 2018. Manchester City responds by stating that it has a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to back up its claims.

After a four-year probe, an independent commission was established in February 2023 to look into Manchester City. On Saturday, the team maintained their winning start to the Premier League season by defeating Brentford 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. The city responds by stating that it has a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to back up its claims. Manchester City has been accused of breaking the Premier League's rule requiring accurate financial information from the club that discloses its financial position honestly and fairly.

Manchester City has won eight Premier League championships, a few domestic cups, and its first-ever Champions League triumph since the Abu Dhabi United Group took over in 2008. Tens of millions of pounds will likely be spent on legal fees for both parties in the six-year-old action against City, which is estimated to take up to 10 weeks to conclude. It's said that whoever 'wins' the lawsuit is supposed to file a claim to recover those expenses.

Premier League demanded payment from Everton 

The Premier League demanded payment from Everton for the whole £4.9 million in legal fees associated with their initial profit and sustainability six-point punishment argument last season. Celia Rooney, the club's attorney, stated in the appeal that the numbers were "frankly eye-watering".

But an appeal board decided that Everton should pay £1.7 million, with the Premier League picking up the remaining £3.2 million in legal costs. Manchester United would be required to contribute, along with teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur, if the Premier League were to foot the bill in City's instance. The expenditures would then have to be divided among the 20 Premier League members.