Man City hit with new accusation as leaked email emerges – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has accused Man City of “inflaming tensions” between Premier League clubs.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed City and the club’s general counsel Simon Cliff have stoked the fight over associated party transactions (APT) rules with an email to the other 19 top-flight sides.
As per The Guardian (8 October), Cliff sent an email to Premier League chiefs and clubs following the verdict on APT rules.
A tribunal found some aspects of the regulations to be unlawful after City sued for damages – but both sides have claimed a victory in the well-publicised case.
The contents of Cliff’s email were published by The Guardian, with the legal chief calling for “careful reflection and consideration by all clubs, and not for a kneejerk reaction” – and claiming an “unwise course would be likely to lead to further legal proceedings with further legal costs”.
Man City have ‘inflamed tensions’ after APT ruling, says Wyness
Premier League clubs met on Tuesday (22 October) to discuss the path forward for APT rules, with a vote not yet expected to take place.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The meeting went ahead on Tuesday.
“These APT rules and potential trouble about shareholder loans are creating real friction.
“There seems to be a real split with the clubs.
“What seems to have inflamed the issue is Man City’s top legal guy, Simon Cliff, emailing the clubs about the actions of the Premier League and statements from Richard Masters.
“Rather than letting things sit and putting a cold towel around it, he’s inflamed tensions even further.
“Clubs have been angry about that and we’re seeing some real division.”
In other news, Tottenham respond to Man City interest in Pedro Porro.
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