Paddy Power Refunds Premier League Bets After Manchester City Guilty Verdict Reports

Paddy Power has announced what it describes as its “biggest refund ever” after reports that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against the club by the Premier League.

The bookmaker has refunded qualifying outright Premier League winner bets placed on teams that finished second to City across eight title-winning seasons.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are covered by the promotion, which Paddy Power announced shortly after reports emerged on Friday that the independent commission had reached its decision in the long-running case.

Sanctions have not yet been determined and Manchester City are expected to appeal the findings. The club has maintained its position throughout the case and said on Friday that the Premier League process “remains ongoing with significant elements to be completed, and subject to strict confidentiality”.

Paddy Power Refunds Eight Seasons Of Bets

Paddy Power’s promotion covers Manchester City title-winning seasons stretching from 2011/12 through to 2023/24.

Manchester United finished runners-up to City in 2011/12, 2017/18 and 2020/21, while Liverpool came second in 2013/14, 2018/19 and 2021/22.

Arsenal finished immediately behind City in 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Paddy Power said qualifying customers who backed those clubs outright to win the Premier League have now been refunded.

The refunds are being issued as free bets, with promotional material stating a maximum refund of £1,000. The offer applies to the win element of qualifying singles and multiples, while bets placed in retail shops are excluded.

The bookmaker has promoted the move as “our biggest ever refund”, covering eight seasons in total.

Manchester City Sanction Yet To Be Decided

The promotion follows reports that City have been found guilty of all but one of the 115 charges they faced over alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations.

The charges cover a period stretching from 2009 to 2018 and include allegations relating to the provision of accurate financial information, player and manager remuneration, compliance with financial regulations and cooperation with the Premier League investigation.

Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing.

Responding to Friday's reports, the club said: “The club has diligently respected due process for eight years on the basis the Premier League board and executive would behave as an independent, impartial and fair minded regulator, free from partisan influence.”

No punishment has yet been confirmed. Potential sanctions available under Premier League rules can include financial and sporting penalties, but it remains unknown what action the independent commission will take in this case.

Reports also indicate that City intend to appeal the findings.

Refund Does Not Change Premier League Records

Paddy Power’s decision is a promotional initiative and does not mean Manchester City have been stripped of any Premier League titles.

The eight championships concerned remain officially recorded as Manchester City victories, while Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have not been retrospectively declared champions for the seasons covered by the refunds.

That distinction remains particularly important while the disciplinary process continues, with sanctions still to be determined and an appeal expected.

Paddy Power has nevertheless moved quickly to capitalise on one of the biggest developments in English football, returning qualifying stakes to customers who backed the clubs that finished immediately behind City during eight of their Premier League title-winning campaigns.