Premier League players and agents line up compensation claims against Man City over lost bonuses

Players and agents weigh loss-of-earnings claims if City appeal fails

Premier League players and their agents have been engaging with lawyers to explore the prospect of seeking compensation from Manchester City for losses in possible bonus payments if the club’s guilty verdict is upheld after appeal.

Sky Sports News understands players have contacted lawyers over potential claims of their own. It is understood those claims relate to missed bonuses — whether that is from missing out on a title or qualification to a European competition.

Several clubs have already instructed lawyers to assess the potential for litigation against City, should they fail to overturn the guilty verdict handed down by an independent commission this week.

"It is not just clubs who could have grounds to sue," Sky Sports News reports. A legal expert told Sky Sports News that former managers could also have grounds to bring legal action for losses in earnings. Players and coaches of rival clubs who missed out on European qualification or a trophy could argue they missed out on financial incentives as a result.

"This is exactly what impacted players and their representatives are consulting lawyers on," the report adds.

Appeal deadline and timing battle

Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have until Friday’s deadline to lodge their appeal.

Sky Sports News expects the club will file before the deadline. The appeal process may be prolonged. Latest from Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol and Amar Mehta notes Man City’s appeal could drag on into next year if they argue that the process should not be run according to Premier League rules which were introduced for this season.

The new rules state that this part of the disciplinary process has to be concluded within 12 weeks and the appeal hearing can last no longer than five days. City were charged in 2023 and a hearing was held in 2024 — when the rules about a speeded-up process were not in the Premier League Handbook.

A legal expert told Sky Sports News that City would have a strong case for arguing the new rules should not apply in this case. The new rules were introduced to ensure that clubs, where possible, were punished in the same season as relevant rule breaches.

"Man City and their well remunerated legal team — lead barrister Lord Pannick KC charges £5,000 an hour — could be fighting the case on multiple fronts for years to come," Sky Sports News reports. "However, this all hinges on the result of an appeal, which Sky Sports News expects the club will file before Friday’s deadline."