By Razeen Gutta
English champions Manchester City challenged the Premier League’s rules on commercial deals, and both parties emerged victorious from the findings of an independent panel.
Earlier this year, Manchester City took legal action against the Premier League over their associated party transaction (APT) rules, claiming they were anti-competitive.
The rules ensure that commercial deals with entities linked to club owners reflect fair market values.
This case is separate from Manchester City’s ongoing 115-charge hearing regarding alleged financial fair play rules breaches.
On Monday, an independent panel found that the rules break competition law and that two of the club’s sponsorship deals were unfairly blocked, giving City a partial victory.
The league also viewed the panel’s judgement positively, though. The top flight welcomed the findings, which they said endorsed “the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system.”
“The tribunal upheld the need for the APT system as a whole and rejected the majority of Manchester City’s challenges. Moreover, the tribunal found that the rules are necessary in order for the league’s financial controls to be effective,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“The tribunal did, however, identify a small number of discrete elements of the rules which do not, in their current form, comply with competition and public law requirements. These elements can quickly and effectively be remedied by the league and clubs. “
Pictured above: Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Source: @premierleague
