Man City v Premier League Exclusive: Update today after new legal action
Manchester City will learn within weeks whether the associated party transaction (APT) rules are lawful following their legal action against the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
Man City challenged the APT rules at an arbitration hearing in June last year, with two aspects of the regulations deemed unlawful when the panel published its findings in October.
The Premier League issued proposed amendments that were later approved by the top-flight clubs at a meeting in November.
Man City were backed by Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in opposing the changes after claiming the rules were void following the panel’s decision, but a majority was reached after the other 16 clubs voted in favour of the motion.
The Times reported on 7 February Man City and the Premier League attended a two-day hearing at the end of January “to make submissions in relation to the impact of the tribunal’s first award”.
It is understood the English champions’ issue revolves around shareholder loans as they believe they are not scrutinised in the same way as other commercial loans.
Sources have told Football Insider the panel’s position is expected to be delivered in the next two weeks to provide some clarity on the Premier League’s financial regulations.
Man City are targeting Arsenal and Everton after APT twist
Football Insider revealed on 22 November Man City could challenge the APT rules for a second time after their fellow top-flight clubs approved the latest changes.
That has now proven to be the case after the club’s lawyers informed the Premier League last week they are seeking a second arbitration hearing.
Sources say a further hearing will be deemed unnecessary if the panel decides the APT rules are void when it publishes its impending decision, meaning the governing body would be forced to reconstruct the regulations.
However, if the verdict goes in the Premier League’s favour and the rules are deemed lawful, a second hearing will take place in the near future.
Former Goodison Park chief Keith Wyness told Football Insider Man City are targeting Arsenal and Everton after insisting shareholder loans should be subjected to fair market value tests retrospectively.
Man City have shown ‘massive’ confidence in 115 charges case
Man City have also been embroiled in another legal battle with the Premier League after they were handed 115 charges in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules.
An independent commission hearing started in September and ended in December, with the panel now considering its verdict.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider Man City have shown “massive” confidence in their 115 charges case following their business in the January transfer window.
The Manchester giants spent around £180million on four new signings and agreed a new long-term contract with star forward Erling Haaland until 2034.
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