Premier League rivals take early legal action in case Man City are found guilty of 115 breaches

Four Premier League heavyweights have reportedly filed legal notices to seek compensation if Manchester City are found guilty of their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League financial rules. According to reports, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur all registered potential compensation claims ahead of a possible statute of limitations deadline last week, as stated by The Times.

It's suggested that lawyers have advised the clubs to register these potential claims now due to the 1980 Limitation Act's six-year period for legal claims for contract breaches. German website Der Spiegel was the first to publish the Football Leaks documents which levelled the allegations against City - among numerous other accusations that have shaken football - in early November 2018.

If City are found guilty, the clubs are expected to claim for loss of earnings. An independent commission continues to hear City's case and if found guilty of a number of the 115 charges, it has been suggested they could face expulsion from the Premier League.

City's alleged rule breaches include failing to provide accurate financial information for nine separate seasons starting in 2009, including full pay details of former head coach Roberto Mancini and players. City, with their legal team led by Lord Pannick, maintain they have not breached any rules and head coach Pep Guardiola has publicly stated that if the club's hierarchy had lied to him about their innocence, he would leave.

A verdict is not expected until near the end of this season and there may be scope for further appeals. The reigning Premier League champions sit five points behind Liverpool in the table entering the final international break of 2024, reports the Mirror.

City have lost four consecutive games in all competitions - a first in Guardiola's management career - and have struggled without injured midfielder Rodri. But defender Ruben Dias has told rivals to write them off at their peril.

. "I would say, please doubt us, doubt us, feel welcome to do so," the centre back said.

"When we did the treble, we even called it the dark January," he said. "We had a tough period. But it is what it is."

"What matters is how you bounce back from these moments. That's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together."

"We don't find people to kill, we find people to bring into the cause and fight together. That's what we need to do once again".