Man City win legal battle – update on ‘retrospective punishments for rivals’
Man City have claimed victory in their Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules fight against the Premier League after a long-running legal battle.
The APT rules have been declared null and void by an independent panel, but they were replaced by a new set of guidelines in November 2024 – which will also have to be approved independently.
City brought the legal challenge after being prevented from signing lucrative deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank, claiming the rules violated competition law.
They have also insisted (as per the BBC, 7 February) the changed rulebook “would introduce into the rules a retrospective exemption for shareholder loans” – which have been utilised by clubs across the Premier League.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on potential retrospective punishment for City’s rivals.
Man City rivals unlikely to face retrospective punishment, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted City’s rivals “operated under the rules as they were in place at the time”.
Any shareholder loans must now undergo a fair market value assessment to ensure interest is charged at commercial rates – which has meant owners across the division have converted debt to equity.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “City have a fair point, fair market value should be applied to shareholder loans.
“That is a valid point.
“But do I think City will be successful? These clubs operated under the rules as they were in place at the time. It’s going to be hard to go back and punish clubs retrospectively.
“While they may be successful in getting the rules changed again, I don’t think there will be any punishment for other clubs.
“The sooner we get the handbook running the game again, rather than individual lawyers, the better.”
Silva could exit as Man City rebuild ramps up
Football Insider revealed on Monday (17 February) that Man City star Bernardo Silva is wanted by clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.
Silva will assess his City future at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Kyle Walker has already moved to Italian giants AC Milan, while City’s rebuild could ramp up further in June when Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract.
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