Manchester City Files Legal Action Against Premier League
Manchester City has initiated legal proceedings against the Premier League, a source has revealed to ESPN. The club is contesting the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, arguing that they are unlawful. A private arbitration hearing is slated to commence next week.
City has accused the Premier League of “discrimination against Gulf ownership” and is seeking damages, as initially reported by The Times. Since 2008, Manchester City has been under the ownership of the Abu Dhabi United Group.
The Premier League’s ATP rules, first introduced in 2021 after the Saudi-backed acquisition of Newcastle United, were further tightened in February to regulate sponsorship deals between clubs and companies linked to their owners. All 20 Premier League clubs were briefed in February that one club had threatened legal action in response to these tightened rules.
Manchester City, which has sponsorship agreements with Etihad Airways, argues that sponsors should have the autonomy to decide their payment amounts without needing independent verification to confirm fair market value. The club contends that the Premier League’s regulations infringe upon competition law.
City’s legal action comes as the club also prepares to defend itself against charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations. In February 2023, City was hit with 115 charges following a four-year investigation. The hearing for these charges is set to begin in November, and potential penalties could include fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from the Premier League.
The club, which has won six of the last seven Premier League titles, has consistently asserted its innocence regarding the charges, maintaining that it has a “body of irrefutable evidence” to support its defense.
A spokesperson from Manchester City stated, “We believe the Premier League’s actions and rules are not only discriminatory but also in violation of competition law. We are confident that the legal process will reveal the unfairness and unlawfulness of these rules.”
The Premier League has yet to comment on the matter. As Manchester City continues to dominate English football, the outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the club and the broader governance of sponsorship in the Premier League.
Image courtesy Deposit Photos.
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![Headline: Ten Hag Laments Manchester United's Defensive Lapses in 3-3 Europa League Draw Against FC Porto Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag criticised his players for "switching off" during their 3-3 draw against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday. Despite taking a 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes at Estadio do Dragao, United conceded twice in seven minutes to go into half-time level, before falling behind early in the second half. In a post-match news conference, Ten Hag expressed his mixed feelings about the result, saying, "We scored two great goals and then we switched off. We don't keep possession and defending, we're switching off. We concede the first goal totally unnecessary and then you light up the fire in this stadium and it becomes very tough." The Dutch manager revealed that he addressed the issues at half-time, but was disappointed with his team's defending for the third goal. "We addressed it at half-time and then you concede a third one, so unnecessary. It's no good defending again. That's also to do with some willingness in some moments," he said. Ten Hag also had to defend his decision to substitute Marcus Rashford at half-time, despite the forward scoring United's opening goal and looking sharp throughout the first half. Initially, the manager stated that the substitution was made to keep Rashford fresh for the upcoming match against Aston Villa on Sunday. However, he later hinted that the change was made because both of Porto's first-half goals had come from crosses on Rashford's side of the pitch. "Garnacho was my best player on Sunday by far and also in many other games," Ten Hag explained. "I think in the season as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring. Garnacho, we also had to play him as well and we have two very good players over that side." He added, "I have to watch [the game] back and I think over the left side definitely we didn't defend well tonight and Marcus also played a part in this. But, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy." Despite the disappointing result, United managed to salvage a point thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from substitute Harry Maguire. The draw leaves Manchester United with work to do in their quest to progress in the Europa League.](https://futbolchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FC-Porto-v-Manchester-United-UEFA-Europa-League-202425-League-Phase-MD2-5.jpg)
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