Stefan Borson: Man City hire ‘£1k-an-hour solicitors’ for latest legal battle
Manchester City have been locked in fierce legal battles with the Premier League over the past couple of years.
Man City successfully challenged the associated party transaction (APT) rules following a two-week private arbitration hearing in the summer of 2024, with the tribunal ruling the regulations in place were unlawful last October.
Following amendments by the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s side challenged the APT rules again in February this year.
However, Man City have now reached a settlement with the Premier League, while the club are expected to complete a lucrative deal with Etihad Airways as a result.
How much did Man City spend on APT battle?
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider both parties hired the best representation throughout their legal battle.
The Times reported on 19 September the legal bill in Man City’s case against the Premier League could be as much as £20million for each party.
However, Borson previously told Football Insider Man City likely only spent around £3m on their APT case.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “As we’ve seen on all of these cases, both parties have got the best representation around.
“They’ve both gone for the very best firms in the city, all magic circle, £1,000-an-hour solicitors.
“And therefore, it racks up pretty quickly when you’re spending that kind of money.”
It has previously been revealed the Premier League has paid out “enormous” fees after taking legal action against multiple clubs over the past couple of years.
Man City have hired ‘enormous’ legal team in 115 charges case
Meanwhile, Man City are waiting to hear the verdict in their 115 charges case, with the independent panel still considering its verdict.
Borson said: “They’ve got the best barristers, and they haven’t just got one barrister.
“If you look at them, the barrister teams, not on the APT case so much, although that was big, but on the 115 case, there are enormous barrister teams, sort of eight barristers.
“Clearly, you’ve then got all of the solicitor teams behind that, and then all of the cost that you’ll have for all of the witnesses.
“Look, it’s possible that certain cases cost a lot of money, but I don’t think the APT one.”
Guardiola is continuing to focus on matters on the field despite Man City’s ongoing legal action, with his side picking up 10 points from their opening six games of the new Premier League season.
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