Manchester City launch new legal action against Premier League APT rules

Manchester City have launched a fresh legal challenge against the Premier League over new rules governing sponsorship deals which the club claims are “void”.

Last year an independent arbitration panel found aspects of the league’s Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs) to be unlawful after a lawsuit instigated by the champions.

The rules were formed by the Premier League to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed above “fair market value”.

In November a majority of top-flight clubs voted to approve amendments to the APTs, despite opposition from City.

In a letter to clubs on Thursday, which has been seen by BBC Sport, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters wrote, “On January 20, 2025, Manchester City FC began a further arbitration to challenge the APT rules… the new challenge relates to the amendments to the APT rules that clubs approved at the 22 November 2024 shareholders’ meeting.

“Manchester City FC seeks a declaration that the amendments approved by clubs in November (and therefore the current APT rules in force) are unlawful and void.

“The Premier League remains strongly of the view that the amendments passed in November were lawful and the APT rules comply with all competition law requirements.

“We consider that the new arbitration must be resolved as soon as possible and, to that end, have agreed that the same tribunal should be appointed to hear the new case. The parties are currently corresponding in relation to further directions.

“The APT rules remain in full force and effect and clubs remain required to comply with all aspects of the system.”