Main Story

There’s no coordinated “Red Cartel” keeping Manchester City down, but Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United do wield outsized influence through their history, global fan bases and commercial pull. Financial rules may constrain ambitious challengers, yet they also limit the risks of unchecked spending—and the Premier League’s relatively broad distribution of wealth has helped other clubs break into the top six.

By the Numbers
  • Manchester City was found to have breached 114 Premier League rules over nine seasons.
  • In 2008, England’s seventh-richest club earned less than one-third as much as its richest; by 2024-25, the seventh-richest earned more than half as much.
  • Nine of the world’s 20 richest clubs are English, as are 15 of the top 30.
  • Since City’s takeover, Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton have each broken into the Premier League’s top six in the past four seasons.
Yes, But

Critics argue that financial regulations entrench established clubs and make it harder for ambitious teams to invest. But removing those limits could give wealthy owners even more freedom to spend, while doing little to erase the enduring advantages of the biggest clubs’ brands, history and global reach.

State of Play
  • Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have rarely been title contenders together; all three last finished in the top four in 2008-09.
  • Those clubs have pushed for changes that could increase their influence, including Project Big Picture and the European Super League.
  • Premier League clubs rejected proposed spending limits in November 2025; City voted against the plan.
What’s Next

Powerful clubs are likely to keep seeking more influence and revenue, including through future international competitions. But any major Premier League rule change still depends on winning support from the league’s other clubs.

Bottom Line

The “Red Cartel” is more a shorthand for entrenched influence than a literal alliance. Financial rules shape who can spend, but history, popularity and commercial power ensure the biggest clubs remain difficult to catch.