Premier League to change rules instantly in Man City legal battle – Borson
Premier League officials would likely need to amend the associated party transaction (APT) rules immediately if Manchester City win their case.
That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the relevant sections of the rules would probably need to be deleted before being replaced at the next Premier League meeting.
Man City and the Premier League clashed over the APT rules in June during a two-week hearing.
The English champions questioned the legality of the APT rules, branding them “anti-competitive” – and sued the governing body for damages.
A relaxation of the rules would mean top-flight sides could agree sponsorship deals as high as they wanted with no challenge, increasing the amount they could spend under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Man City case details may not be publicised due to Premier League rules
But Borson revealed the details of the decision might not be made public because of how the rules are framed.
He told Football Insider: “If City were wholly successful, you would think the Premier League rules would have to be amended immediately, such that those sections were deleted pending the replacement of them by the Premier League at their next meeting.
“We don’t know whether we will even get details of what the judgement might be.
“The way that the rules are framed are that there would be no public release of the decision itself.
“We may only know on the basis of either leaks or from the rules changing.
“But really the way that it will work in terms of the Premier League voting would probably only be if City were successful in some way, at which point those rules around associated party transactions would need to go back to the Premier League clubs for redrafting in light of the decision that was made.
“Depending on what the decision says and the limits that it endorses of the Premier League’s rights around associated party transactions, then it would probably be a case of back to the drawing board.
“Then they would try and come up with something that did work and was lawful.”
In other news, expert stunned by “terrible” Man City behind-the-scenes decision.
For more Man City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.