Man City and Premier League settle APT rules dispute
Manchester City and the Premier League have brought an end to the club’s legal challenge against the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.
The club had mounted a legal challenge against the rules, claiming they were ‘unlawful’.
The rules, introduced in December 2021 after the takeover of Newcastle United, are designed to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed to be above ‘fair market value’.
Following a successful challenge by Manchester City last year, the Premier League voted through amendments to the regulations in November 2024, despite opposition from City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
The new settlement terminates the arbitration proceedings commenced by the club earlier this year. As part of the terms, Manchester City have formally accepted that the current APT rules are valid and binding, bringing an end to a long-running legal battle that cost both sides millions of pounds in legal fees.
This agreement is separate from the ongoing disciplinary hearing where City face more than 100 alleged breaches of financial rules, which the club denies.
A joint statement said, “It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter.”
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