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| Image: Richard Sellers/PA |
Manchester City has secured a major legal victory against the Premier League regarding financial regulations that governed sponsorship deals. An independent tribunal ruled that the league’s previous Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, in place between December 2021 and November 2024, were invalid and could not be enforced.
According to Reuters, the APT rules aimed to regulate commercial agreements between clubs and entities linked to their owners. These regulations were introduced to prevent teams from inflating sponsorship values through affiliated companies. However, Manchester City challenged these restrictions, particularly after some of its deals were blocked in 2023. The tribunal found that the rules were unfair, as they exempted shareholder loans from fair market value assessments, ultimately leading to their annulment.
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| Image: Getty |
TalkSPORT reports that this ruling could have financial consequences for the Premier League, as clubs might seek compensation for sponsorships that were previously restricted. Additionally, the league is now responsible for covering significant legal fees related to the case.
Despite this outcome, the Premier League maintains that its updated APT rules, introduced in November 2024, remain in effect. However, GB News states that Manchester City has already launched a fresh legal challenge against these revised regulations, suggesting that disputes over financial oversight in English football are far from over.
It is important to note that this case is separate from the ongoing investigation into Manchester City’s alleged financial breaches between 2009 and 2018. That inquiry remains unresolved, according to Cadena SER.
This legal victory strengthens Manchester City’s position in its ongoing battle with the Premier League and could have lasting implications for how financial regulations are applied in English football.