There is now new urgency surrounding the issue since Friday, after the outcome of an arbitration tribunal from Manchester City’s legal challenge of the Premier League’s previous Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.
City’s argument could be that the Premier League enforced rules against them for a three-year period when they did not enforce rules against clubs with shareholder loans.
Premier League clubs are pushing for the government to offer more support for football on competition law amid fears its latest defeat to Manchester City could eventually lead to “complete carnage”.
That doesn’t have much real consequence right now, other than potential claims by clubs for compensation from the Premier League for denying them the opportunity to make deals with associated parties, due to the fact clubs voted new rules into place in November 2024.
Football, and especially the Premier League, is paying the price - literally, in terms of legal fees - for the powers it has allowed into its league.
