Manchester City Arbitration: Premier League’s Former APT Rules Declared Void

Premier League, Arbitration under Section X of the Premier League Rules, 25 September 2024, Manchester City FC and The Football Association Premier League Ltd.

Date of the decision: 2025-02-13

An arbitration tribunal has ruled the Premier League’s former Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules void and unenforceable following a legal challenge by Manchester City. The decision, issued on 13 February 2025, found that three unlawful provisions were integral to the framework, making the entire system invalid. While the arbitral decision does not affect the new APT rules adopted in November 2024, it raises concerns about the league’s financial regulations and potential legal challenges.

Introduction

On 13 February 2025, an arbitration tribunal issued its Second Partial Final Award in the legal dispute between Manchester City and the Premier League over the APT rules. The Tribunal ruled that the previous APT rules - governing club sponsorships and financial transactions with entities linked to club owners - were entirely void and unenforceable.

This ruling follows the Tribunal’s first Partial Final Award (25 September 2024), which...

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