Every EFL club could claim millions from Manchester City as scandal looms
Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of 115 Financial Fair Play charges, sparking fears that the club may be forced to pay more than £500 million in compensation to former Premier League rivals. The estimate, released during the current three‑week international break, has every EFL side wondering how much they could receive.
Potential payouts to former rivals
West Ham United top the list, with an estimated £28.08 million due if the sanctions are applied. The East London club featured regularly in the top flight throughout City’s dominant era, even finishing sixth in 2020/21 before relegation last season.
Wolves could claim £20.49 million, having competed in nine of the relevant campaigns and finishing seventh twice under Nuno Espírito Santo, though they also suffered relegations in 2011/12 and 2025/26.
Burnley stand to receive roughly £19.2 million; the Clarets bounced between the top two divisions, earning promotion four times since 2011 and enjoying a seventh‑place finish in 2017/18 under Sean Dyche.
Other clubs in the compensation queue
Leicester City may be owed as much as £17.9 million despite recent struggles that have seen them drop to League One after a six‑point deduction.
West Bromwich Albion could bank £10.85 million, according to the same calculations, while several other clubs that now sit in the Championship or League One also feature on the list.
The figures stem from prize‑money calculations tied to league finishes between 2009 and 2018, a period when City won three titles under Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Pep Guardiola.
City have reaffirmed their right to appeal the independent commission’s verdict, but the potential financial hit remains a major talking point across the league.
In related news, journalist Benedict, who graduated with a 2:1 (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2024 and later earned a Merit in MA Sports Journalism at Coventry University in 2025, previously covered Rugby League and non‑league football and interned with Wolves’ Academy between 2023 and 2025. Like many aspiring writers, he often logs his thoughts in a thread here, showing how one can give a light‑hearted recap of complex issues. I’m sure readers will enjoy the detailed breakdown and give their own thoughts on the matter.