Written by Premier League Rejects Manchester City’s Claim of “Misleading” Communication Over APT Ruling
The tension between Manchester City and the Premier League has intensified. The league recently refuted accusations from City’s general counsel, Simon Cliff, who claims it “misled” other clubs about a ruling on Associated Party Transactions (APT) regulations. In a letter to the 19 other clubs, Cliff alleged that the league’s summary of the tribunal’s findings was inaccurate. Manchester City asserts these inaccuracies misrepresent the tribunal’s stance on APT rules. These regulations are meant to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their ownership groups.
The Premier League denies any intent to mislead. It maintains that the tribunal upheld most of its APT regulations. Manchester City had launched this legal challenge, arguing the rules were excessively restrictive and applied unlawfully. Despite the tribunal’s findings, Manchester City claims partial victory, believing some rulings support their stance on certain regulatory issues. For further details, you can read the full reports on Sky Sports and SPORTbible.
Cliff also expressed concern over the Premier League’s proposal to pass new APT guidelines within the next ten days. He criticized the urgency and the lack of thorough consideration. Meanwhile, the Premier League emphasized its commitment to transparency. It stated that the adjustments would “quickly and effectively” address regulatory gaps. The league’s statement contrasts sharply with City’s view. An emergency meeting involving all Premier League clubs is expected, as they navigate the fallout from this ruling and discuss possible changes to the APT regulations.