Manchester City Launch ‘Unprecedented Legal Action’ Against Premier League
Manchester City have taken bold step by launching legal action against Premier League. According to The Mail, they are challenging division’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules. The club claims these rules introduced in December 2021, are unlawful. They are aimed at stifling their success on pitch.
City alleges that rules were implemented to prevent top-flight clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners. In reality they are “tyranny of majority” and an example of “discrimination against Gulf ownership”.
The club’s 165-page legal document argues that APT rules give “the majority unacceptable levels of control.” The system of requiring at least 14 clubs to vote over matter is unfair. Manchester City is suing Premier League for damages and seeking to end APT rules.
They believe these rules are designed to maintain competitiveness by preventing top-flight clubs from inflating commercial deals. However rival clubs claim that City’s appeal could destroy competitiveness of English top-flight allowing rich clubs to spend unlimited amounts on playing squads and infrastructure.
The dispute has significant implications for the league. City’s appeal could potentially affect their impending hearing over alleged financial charges. The club faces 115 charges. These include failure to provide accurate financial information, failure to provide accurate details of player and manager payments and alleged breaches of Premier League and UEFA financial rules.
The hearing set for November, is expected to last six weeks. The Premier League’s legal department has had to shift their focus. Their attention has moved from the hearing on City’s 115 charges to this new legal action.
The outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching consequences for Premier League and its clubs. If Manchester City is successful it could allow league’s richest clubs to value sponsorship deals without independent assessment. This could potentially lead to an uneven playing field.
On other hand, if Premier League prevails it could strengthen division’s ability to regulate financial dealings and maintain competitiveness. The football world watches with bated breath as the hearing approaches. Many are eager to see how this dispute will shape future of English football.
