Manchester City, Premier League Settle APT Rules Dispute Ending Legal Proceedings

Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement regarding the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules, ending a legal dispute that challenged how sponsorship deals with companies linked to club owners are regulated. Manchester City had initiated arbitration earlier in 2024, contesting the rules designed to ensure sponsorship deals are of fair market value and to maintain competitive balance in the league. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts the validity and binding nature of the current APT rules, and both parties agreed to terminate the proceedings without further comment. This resolution allows Manchester City to proceed with lucrative sponsorship arrangements, including a significant deal with Etihad Airways, which was previously blocked under the contested rules. The APT rules were introduced to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals with related parties, a measure intensified following previous ownership takeovers in the Premier League. This settlement marks a crucial moment in the governance of English football finances, signaling an end to a dispute described as a 'civil war' over the league’s financial regulations.