Newcastle United could be owed almost £27m after Manchester City were found guilty of serious breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. City were found guilty of all charges concerning breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009/10 and 2017/18, with the consequences still to be determined.
Potential compensation from merit payments
Newcastle and their PIF owners are closely monitoring the outcome of City's appeal amid suggestions that huge compensation payouts could be demanded. The Etihad club dominated the Premier League for much of that period and collected the highest total in merit payments of any club - a staggering £556,883,928.
Data specialists at OLBG have looked at the amount each club would be entitled to in central payments from the top flight over the period from when the 115 charges against the club began. This analysis, spanning from the 2011/12 to 2025/26 seasons, examines the potential financial repercussions for the club and the rest of the league. Figures for 2025/26 are estimates as the Premier League has not yet published its official payments for that season.
How the compensation estimate was calculated
The estimation of potential compensation is based on central payments distributed to Premier League clubs over the specified period. These central payments are divided into six categories: Equal Share, Facility Fees, Merit Payment, International Equal Share, International Merit Payment, and Central Commercial. With the exception of Facility Fees and Merit Payments, which are based on the number of televised matches and final league standings respectively, the other payments are distributed equally among the clubs.
To determine the potential compensation owed by Manchester City, data from official Premier League sources and news sites were utilised. By removing Manchester City from the standings and adjusting the positions of other clubs accordingly, the revised Merit Payments were calculated. The difference between the original and adjusted Merit Payments provided an estimate of how much each club could be owed.
Newcastle's potential windfall
Newcastle United earned £298,468,260 in that period, but it would rise by £26,902,577 without Man City's involvement. The difference in merit payments when Manchester City are excluded shows Everton could gain £28,944,186, Manchester United £28,118,305, West Ham United £28,089,124, Crystal Palace £27,333,243, Newcastle United £26,902,577, Chelsea £25,787,679, Tottenham Hotspur £25,540,172, Liverpool £24,423,357, and Aston Villa £23,052,791.
What happens next to Manchester City remains to be seen, with the deadline to appeal the decision expiring today. A huge points deduction could be one route, with financial penalties also a potential punishment. It is expected the next steps will become clear in the coming days, with the FA releasing a statement on the situation, which read: "The Independent Commission’s decision has significant implications for the integrity of the game. We are carefully considering the decision and its implications and will take action where appropriate. As proceedings between the Premier League and Manchester City Football Club remain ongoing, we do not intend to comment further at this stage. We will, however, continue to monitor developments closely."
