Premier League clubs approve major rule change, Manchester City vote against it

Premier League clubs voted to approve changes to the league’s associated party deals (APTs) at a meeting in central London attended by representatives from all 20 teams on Friday. The proposed changes come into force after an independent tribunal in Manchester City’s claim found some aspects of the APT rules to be unlawful. “At the Premier League Shareholders’ Meeting today, clubs approved changes to the League’s Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules. The amendments to the rules take into account the findings of the Arbitral Tribunal following Manchester City’s legal action against the APT system earlier this year.

“The Premier League has consulted in detail with clubs, based on numerous expert views from independent lead counsel, to develop rule changes that address the amendments needed to the system,” a statement released by the Premier League said.

The Athletic reports this. According to the report, the LP was desperate to introduce new amendments as quickly as possible as it could lead to losses from other clubs trying to secure related party deals in the meantime.

“This is due to the integration of the assessment of shareholder loans, the reversal of some of the amendments made to the APT rules earlier this year and changes to the process by which relevant information from the League’s data bank is passed on to club advisers.

“The purpose of the APT rules is to ensure that clubs do not benefit from commercial transactions or cost savings that do not correspond to fair market value (FMV) due to related party relationships. These rules were introduced to provide a robust mechanism to protect the financial stability, integrity and competitive balance of the League,” the statement said.

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