Manchester City

While the Citizens' well-documented hearing into the 115 Premier League charges against them drags on, Pep Guardiola's side have also been battling with England's top division over a separate, unrelated case regarding Associated Party Transaction Rules (APT).

It was reported at the beginning of June that Man City had taken legal action against the Premier League in a move that 'sparked civil war' in the English top flight.

The Citizens were allegedly warned earlier in the year of the threat of suing the Premier League, with their case centred around a campaign to remove the APT rules, but they opted to proceed with it anyway.

APT rules relate to commercial revenue that clubs generate from companies with connections to the club, such as Man City's front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Etihad, who have connections to the club's owners.

The rules in question have been the subject of scrutiny since they were introduced in December 2021, following Newcastle United's Saudi-backed takeover, and were initially designed to maintain competitiveness and prevent top-flight clubs from negotiating inflated commercial deals with businesses linked to their owners.

Man City 1-0 Premier League?

Inside a 165-page legal document submitted to the Premier League, Man City claim they are victims of "discrimination" and the APTs rules have been approved by rival clubs to stifle their success on the pitch as a 'tyranny of the majority'.

Man City's case also states that they are seeking "damages for the losses which it has incurred as a result of the unlawfulness of the FMV (fair market value) rules", and that their rivals are looking to "safeguard their own commercial advantages".

Multiple reports recently claimed that a vote on potential rule amendments was due to take place, involving all 20 clubs, at a meeting in London on Thursday, but according to the Daily Mail, that vote was dropped 'at the last minute', indicating that Man City's legal challenge was successful.

However, according to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Man City's legal cases were not discussed at the meeting.

Man City's cases yet to be discussed at PL meeting

Solhekol has taken to 'X' to clarify the situation, posting: "Man City cases not discussed at Premier League meeting today. No update on whether there has been a decision in the Man City v Premier League Associated Party Transactions case.

"If there had been a decision we would not necessarily know because it was a private tribunal and decision can only be published with agreement of both parties (PL Rule X31).

"If a decision is not published, we will have to wait and see if PL APT rules are changed. If they are not changed on their website it would mean PL won and existing rules remain. For the time being rules are staying as they are.

"Separately, a vote on an amendment to the APT rules was pulled. The amendment was about a database of past deals which PL holds to ascertain whether proposed new deals are fair market value. Votes are regularly withdrawn at PL meetings. Other votes were withdrawn today as well."

The separate hearing into the 115 financial charges against the Citizens, which started on September 16, is expected to run for around 10 weeks, and a final verdict is not expected to arrive until some stage in early 2025.