• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

Premier League Faces Legal Attack From Most Dominant Club

  • Manchester City will enter an arbitration period with the Premier League over sponsorship rules.
  • The outcome could alter a November hearing that threatens fines and relegation.
Premier League champion banner outside of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
MCFC

Manchester City is one of the most powerful soccer clubs in the world on and off the pitch, and it’s taking legal action against the Premier League to try to keep it that way.

The Times revealed Tuesday that City will start a two-week arbitration period with the Premier League on June 10 to challenge the associated party transaction rules. They require an independent body to review any sponsorships from companies tied to the club’s owners to ensure deals are made at a fair market rate. APT rules were instituted in 2021 with the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United to ensure the new owners wouldn’t inflate deals that would funnel millions into clubs and give them an unfair advantage.

The legal document argues APT rules have made City a victim of “discrimination” by other clubs seeking to limit its success on the field. The team has won four consecutive Premier League titles. The document also describes the rules, which require two-thirds approval or at least 14 clubs to sign off on a matter, as a “tyranny of the majority.”

Next week’s proceedings could alter a November hearing about financial allegations that threaten large fines and relegation from the top flight. City is up against 115 charges, which it has entirely denied, for breaching financial rules and failing to cooperate in a subsequent investigation. Some of those breaches involve sponsorship deals linked to City’s owners in Abu Dhabi, and should the club successfully argue its case this month, it will be much harder for the league to win its offensive in the fall.

City filed its claim Feb. 16, and the Premier League alerted all clubs of the situation March 1, inviting them to participate. According to The Times, at least one club submitted a witness statement supporting City, but between 10 and 12 clubs provided a witness statement or letter with evidence for the Premier League’s side. Other teams support the league’s argument because they don’t want City to have unchecked power to pay players whatever they want and void financial rules designed to ensure a fair playing field.

The Premier League is spending more than £20 million, or roughly $25.5 million, on legal fees for the case, which were about one-quarter of that size a year ago, The Times reported, and has had to spend more time dealing with this claim instead of preparing for November’s hearing.

The Premier League faced another legal battle in March from Leicester City, who also took action against the English Football League, after the relegated club was also accused of financial breaches. But the midsize Leicester City is a much less intimidating opponent than Manchester City, valued at roughly $5 billion.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
breaking

California AG Says Daily Fantasy Sports Are Illegal

The AG rejected arguments that DFS are games of skill, not chance.

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.
Mike Crapo

Trump Bill’s Tax Hike on Gamblers Was Authored by Sen. Mike Crapo

Crapo’s office did not respond to several messages seeking comment.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.

Rogers Takes Control of Canada’s Top Teams in MLSE Buyout

The Canadian media giant now has an arguably unrivaled sports portfolio.
Manchester City
July 1, 2025

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.
Myles Turner
July 1, 2025

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
July 1, 2025

Bucks Shock NBA World By Waiving Lillard’s $113M Deal, Signing Turner

Damian Lillard had two years left on his deal.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
July 1, 2025

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.
June 30, 2025

Nuggets, Rockets Make Aggressive Moves to Challenge Thunder

Denver took the Thunder to seven games in the conference semifinals.
June 30, 2025

Cohen’s $331M Mets Spiral Into June Swoon Despite Soto Surge

Frustrations rise as the high-spending Mets have lost 13 of 16 games.