Huge development in Man City's legal battle with Premier League as details of 14-page document 'leaked'

There has been a huge development in Manchester City's legal wrangle with the Premier League over APT rules.

In an unprecedented move back in June, City launched unprecedented legal action against the Premier League in a bid to stop Associated Party Transaction rules which were brought in back in 2021.

City, who have been owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group since 2008, claimed that rules introduced in January are "unlawful" and submitted 165-page legal document ahead of a hearing.

The primary purpose of the rules was to stop clubs inflating commercial deals while maintaining the competitiveness. And though they were unsuccessful on many counts, City were victorious in seven of their key arguments.

A panel agreed that the rules were indeed unlawful and that the Premier League were wrong to block two of City's sponsorship deals - with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank - in 2023.

A statement from City read: “The Club has succeeded with its claim: the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules have been found to be unlawful and the Premier League’s decisions on two specific MCFC sponsorship transactions have been set aside.”

The Premier League wrote to all clubs after the verdict and The Times say they have issued proposed changes to the rules.

Image: Getty

These potential changes have been issued in a 14-page document which has been released to clubs ahead of meeting at Nobu Hotel in Portman Square, London on November 22.

If the changes are voted for, it could mean more lucrative sponsorship deals are possible, with shareholder loans also addressed and "fair market value" being softened.

Should they amendments happen, there would be change from "would" be sold to “could” be sold between willing parties and the term “in normal market conditions” will no longer exist.

There will also be a reversal to some of the rule changes brought in this year. A 14-club majority is required for the new and updated regulations to come in.