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Manchester City has emerged victorious in a legal battle against the Premier League, as an independent panel ruled on Friday that the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules are void and unenforceable.
The ruling comes amid a long-standing dispute over financial regulations, with City challenging the Premier League’s requirement that clubs must have dealings with ‘associated parties’ reviewed to ensure fair market value. The APT rules, introduced in December 2021 following the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, were designed to prevent clubs from benefiting excessively from commercial deals linked to their ownership.
The Premier League has defended the regulations, arguing that they promote fairness and prevent clubs from relying on enhanced revenues tied to their owners. However, City launched a fresh challenge against amendments to the rules, which were approved by a majority of clubs in November.
Despite the panel’s decision, the Premier League insists that the ruling does not affect the current enforcement of the rules, and clubs are expected to comply while further legal proceedings unfold.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for financial regulations in English football, with clubs closely watching how the Premier League responds to the verdict.