Masters wrote to all 20 clubs today, conceding the “previous rules as a while are void and unenforceable,” but insisting “new rules were voted into force” and that clubs must comply with them.
And it means City have landed a blow in their ongoing legal battle with the Prem and their chief Richard Masters, despite the ruling being separate to the charges of 130 financial rule breaches levelled at the club.
City — whose legal team was led by Lord Pannick — took the Prem to court after proposed deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank were blocked in 2023.
Today's landmark ruling from a panel of three eminent former judges means the League now face coughing up £20million to pay their legal bills — and City’s.
They also accused Prem chiefs of attempting to mislead clubs ahead of November’s vote on ATP rule amendments, which were passed following a majority 16-4 vote.
