Analysis claims Man City's past financial edge cost rivals £844m

A new analysis suggests Manchester City's alleged rule-breaking between 2009 and 2018 may have deprived other Premier League clubs of over £844m in lost revenue.

Manchester City's alleged financial rule-breaking during their rise to prominence may have cost rival clubs more than £844m in lost earnings. The analysis examines the period from 2009 to 2018 when City were found to have inflated sponsorship income by £830m plus £90m in expenses.

The potential financial impact on other Premier League sides is calculated at a combined £844m. This figure includes £188.2m in Premier League placing money, £349.7m from relegation costs, and £217.8m from missed Champions League prize money. A further £88.3m relates to domestic cup competitions and the Europa League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s losses

Tottenham Hotspur could have lost up to £120m due to Manchester City's actions. Analysis shows Spurs finished one place outside the Champions League spots in four of the eight seasons when City qualified for Europe. Over those four seasons, City earned £148.2m from the Champions League while Tottenham took £29.9m from the Europa League, a significant disparity. In the 2014-15 campaign alone, City received £71.2m for reaching the Champions League semi-finals, while Spurs got £17.7m from the Europa League.

Widespread financial effects

Liverpool's financial impact from losing the 2015-16 EFL Cup final to City was calculated at £52.3m. Everton were reportedly denied European qualification five times, with a total financial effect of £66.4m. Hull City, relegated twice in the period, faced a cost of £99m, while Swansea City's total impact was £63.1m. Newcastle United's relegation in the 2015-16 season cost an estimated £60.4m.

Other clubs including Norwich City, Wigan Athletic, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, and Birmingham City are also listed as having suffered substantial losses from relegations. Chelsea missed out on Champions League revenue in 2017-18, with a £39.8m deficit compared to City's earnings that season.

City's earnings and current form

Between 2009 and 2018, Manchester City earned over £1.17bn in prize money across competitions. This included £812.3m from the Premier League and £363.4m from the Champions League, alongside three league titles and four domestic cups. The club's current form sees them leading the Premier League with 18 points from six games, having won their last five matches. Their most recent result was a 3-0 victory over Liverpool on October 11.

Thirty-five other teams played in the top flight during the period under scrutiny. The value of each Premier League place rose from £755,881 in 2010-11 to £1.94m by 2016-17, amplifying the financial consequences of final standings.

Manchester City now turn their focus to maintaining their position at the summit. The team will aim to extend their winning run and preserve their three-point lead at the top of the table.