Manchester City accusations: What punishment could the club face after Premier League verdict and will they appeal?

Premier League clubs are seeking legal advice from Manchester City regarding compensation in the case.

A source, who has held a managerial role at two Premier League teams, said he expected clubs to submit individual compensation claims against Manchester City.

Another top lawyer told the BBC the process could even be centralized by the league.

Premier League rules allow clubs to take legal action against each other for compensation.

In June, Everton were told they had to pay Burnley £35 million after breaking the PSR over a three-year period.

Burnley argued that the breach had impacted on their chances of remaining in the Premier League and sought compensation for relegation losses.

Everton are appealing, with sources previously saying they will challenge the decision “vigorously and thoroughly”, but it provides an interesting backdrop to Manchester City’s case.

There is uncertainty about the statute of limitations, which would set a deadline for claims.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly preserved their rights to claim compensation two years ago.

It’s not just Manchester United (twice) and Liverpool, who finished second to City in their title-winning seasons.

These are the clubs which narrowly missed out on the Champions League, or which failed to qualify for Europe, or those which were relegated.

And it could even lead to claims over prize money for each place in the Premier League, or potential commercial revenue lost by rival clubs.

Kieran Maguire, professor of football finance at the University of Liverpool, told BBC Sport this would be seen as a “denial of opportunity” by the complainants.

Maguire explained that “the statute of limitations is not referenced” in the traditional Premier League handbook, although this could be subject to a legal challenge from City.

But what about compensation? Just watching Champions League qualifying could result in huge financial claims.

“Back then the Champions League was worth a minimum of £30m,” Maguire said. “I think by the time we got to 2018 it was probably worth £60 or £70 million, and that’s in prize money.

“On top of that, you could make a claim for loss of entry receipts, loss of sponsor bonus. It’s very unlikely, but it’s certainly under discussion.

“Players receive bonuses for qualifying for the Champions League. These bonuses, if you talk to people connected to elite clubs, are normally around 25%.

“An average salary at the time, going back to 2012, was probably in the region of £80,000 or £90,000 a week. Twenty-five per cent of that is four or five million pounds a year. That’s how the problems pile up.”

Point deductions, fines and compensation claims.

This is an extremely complicated situation for the Premier League, and it doesn’t appear to be resolved any time soon.