Manchester City got one over the Premier League today following the verdict given by a panel of judges that some of the competition’s rules are illegal but the Citizens’ victory didn’t come without opposition from a host of clubs.
The rule in question is the Associated Party Transactions(APT), which was promulgated to prevent companies affiliated with club owners from paying excessively for deals with the club.
Following the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United, the Premier League formulated the APT to prevent mega-rich club owners from using their association with the aforementioned companies to boost their team’s revenue to dribble their way past the Financial Fair Play rules.
It has now been ruled that the ATP regulation does not align with the Competition Act and, as a result, has been declared invalid to the relief of Manchester City.
At the trial, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Brentford, AFC Bournemouth, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers allegedly opposed the Citizens’ stance.
Therefore, the aforementioned clubs gave evidence to support the ATP but eventually failed in their efforts.
It isn’t surprising to see Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool on the list based on their rivalry between the four-time consecutive Premier League champions.
It has also been revealed that the quartet of Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest gave evidence in support of Manchester City’s position
