Manchester City Warns of Further Legal Action Over ‘Misleading’ Premier League Statement
In a dramatic escalation of tensions within English football, Manchester City has launched a scathing rebuke against the Premier League following a recent legal battle over sponsorship rules. The club has written to all 19 Premier League clubs, condemning what it calls “misleading” and “inaccurate” statements made by the league after a tribunal ruling on sponsorship regulations.
The legal dispute centers around the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules, which aim to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners. Manchester City secured a landmark victory after a tribunal deemed the rules unlawful. However, the Premier League responded by downplaying the decision, claiming only a few elements of the APT Rules needed adjustment.
City’s general counsel, Simon Cliff, voiced the club’s frustration in an email sent to Premier League clubs, accusing the league of twisting the tribunal’s findings. “Regrettably, the [Premier League’s] summary is misleading and contains several inaccuracies,” Cliff stated. “Of even greater concern is the Premier League’s suggestion that new APT rules should be passed within the next 10 days.”
Cliff went on to criticize the Premier League for rushing the original rule-making process in 2021. “When the Premier League consulted on and proposed the original APT Rules, we pointed out that the process was rushed, ill-thought-out, and would result in rules that were anti-competitive. The recent Award has validated those concerns entirely.”
The email also refuted the Premier League’s claims that the tribunal had endorsed the APT Rules, insisting that the decision rendered them “null and void.” Cliff added, “It is therefore remarkable that the Premier League is now seeking to involve the member clubs in a process to amend the APT Rules when it does not even know the status of those rules.”
Manchester City warned that further legal action could follow if the Premier League proceeded hastily, urging clubs to approach the issue with caution. “This is the time for careful reflection and consideration by all clubs, and not for a knee-jerk reaction. Such an unwise course would be likely to lead to further legal proceedings with further legal costs,” Cliff warned.
While the Premier League has declined to comment, City’s bold move has reportedly garnered support from several clubs. The league plans to hold an emergency meeting next week to address the tribunal’s findings, although a vote on amending the rules is not expected.
Manchester City Warns of Further Legal Action Over ‘Misleading’ Premier League Statement
