Associated Party Transaction rules: Premier League claims legal victory, as does Manchester City

"The Premier League welcomes the Tribunal's findings, which endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT (Associated Party Transaction) system. The Tribunal upheld the need for the APT system as a whole and rejected the majority of Manchester City FC's challenges. Moreover, the Tribunal found that the rules are necessary in order for the League's financial controls to be effective," said the English professional football league on 07/10/2024.

The Premier League was responding to the decision dated 25/09/2024 (document available to download) in Manchester City's legal challenge to the League's Associated Party Transaction rules. The APT rules were first introduced in December 2021, two months after the acquisition of Newcastle United FC by a group of investors led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), and amended in March 2024. They are designed in particular to control the value of sponsorship agreements entered into by clubs with companies that are partners or subsidiaries of their owners.

Manchester City, who are owned by the City Football…