Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
BBC estimates other clubs may have lost £844m amid Man City case
Manchester City face charges over alleged financial rule breaches that the Premier League case says involved inflated sponsorship income and expenses.
The alleged conduct covers the 2009–2018 period, when City became a regular top-four team and won several major trophies.
City deny wrongdoing and have appealed the charges.
A BBC analysis estimates that other clubs may have missed out on £844m in domestic prize money and related payments.
The estimate includes possible losses from league places, relegation, European competition and cup results, but does not say any club would definitely have finished higher or avoided relegation.
It compares published prize money and does not include future earnings such as sponsorship bonuses or players’ salary increases.
The case’s outcome remains uncertain while City’s appeal is pending.
BBC Sport estimates that other clubs may have lost £844 million because of Manchester City’s alleged rule-breaking.
The estimate covers potential losses in league prize money, relegation costs, European competitions and domestic cups.
The BBC says City earned £1.17 billion across the competitions it assessed during the period.
City deny wrongdoing and have appealed; the BBC says the club is currently found guilty of all charges related to inflating sponsorship income and expenses.
The BBC says its figures describe potential financial impacts and do not establish what any club would definitely have achieved.
- Who
- Manchester City and 35 other teams that played in the English top flight between 2009 and 2018.
- What
- The BBC estimates other clubs may have lost £844 million amid the case against Manchester City.
- When
- The assessment covers the period from 2009 to 2018. The article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- English football, including the Premier League and domestic cup competitions.
- Why
- The BBC assessed the potential impact of City’s sponsorship income and expenses on other clubs’ results and finances.
Manchester City
Premier League independent commission
Allegations
Manchester City
City deny any wrongdoing and have appealed.
Premier League independent commission
The commission described the Abu Dhabi funding as a “disguised funding scheme”; the BBC says City are currently guilty of all charges related to inflating sponsorship income and expenses.
Sheikh Mansour bought Manchester City.
City finished fifth in the Premier League.
Thirty-five other teams played in the English top flight during the period assessed by the BBC.
The BBC published its estimate of the potential financial impact on other clubs.
- Potential losses for other clubs
- £844m
- City earnings across competitions
- £1.17bn
- Premier League placing money
- £188.2m
- Relegation costs
- £349.7m
- Missed Champions League prize money
- £217.8m
- Domestic cups and Europa League
- £88.3m
What people are saying
disguised funding scheme
Sources
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