Manchester City has reportedly secured a key victory in their ongoing legal dispute with the Premier League, which centers around more than 130 charges of financial irregularities.
According to reports from England, the reigning champions have gained the upper hand in one aspect of the battle.
The conflict, which began last June, saw City launch a legal counterattack against the Premier League. As first reported by The Times, the club took “unprecedented legal action” seeking damages.
City accused the Premier League of discriminating against Gulf-based owners and argued that the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, which regulate financial dealings with companies linked to club owners, were illegal.
The APT rules, introduced in December 2021 following the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s acquisition of Newcastle United, temporarily banned Premier League clubs from engaging in commercial deals with entities directly connected to their ownership.
Manchester City, unhappy with these restrictions, challenged the legality of the regulations, arguing that they were discriminatory and unjust.
In a positive turn for City, media reports indicate that the Premier League withdrew a vote on amending the APT rules at the last minute during a meeting this morning. While this development does not directly relate to the charges City is facing, it represents a crucial win in their broader legal fight and could potentially impact the severity of any sanctions they might face.
The Premier League’s charges against City, which allege that the club misrepresented their financial position between 2009 and 2018, remain ongoing.
If found guilty, City could face serious penalties, including potential expulsion from the league. A final verdict on these charges is expected to be announced in early 2025.
Leave a Reply