Premier League official announcements, legal documents

Manchester City Sues Premier League Over Financial Rules, Sparking Civil War Among Clubs

Jun 4, 2024, 04:13 PM

Manchester City has launched an unprecedented legal action against the Premier League, challenging the league's associated party transaction (APT) rules. The club claims these rules are unlawful and discriminatory, particularly against teams with lower-profile sporting histories and Gulf ownership. The 165-page legal claim, which has sparked significant controversy and been described as a 'civil war' among top flight clubs, will be heard in a private arbitration hearing starting on June 10. Manchester City argues that the Premier League's financial rules represent a 'tyranny of the majority' and unfairly limit their ability to secure more related party sponsorship fees. The club is also facing 115 charges of breaching financial rules. The outcome of this case could dramatically alter the landscape of professional football in England.