Richard Masters Premier League
On Monday afternoon, an arbitration panel delivered a judgment regarding certain Premier League rules, evaluating their lawfulness and the implications for Manchester City. Manchester City stated that the panel found the rules to be unlawful and that the league had abused its dominant position. The club now plans to seek damages arising from the case.
The Premier League countered that there were only two findings in City’s favour regarding the rules and that City were “unsuccessful in the majority of (their) challenge.” Importantly, the league stated that the tribunal had determined the APT rules were necessary and pursued a legitimate objective. Additionally, the league argued that the tribunal had upheld the legitimacy of the rules, deeming them crucial for the effectiveness of the profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). The league also noted that the panel dismissed City’s claim that the rules were designed to discriminate against clubs with Gulf region ownership.
City countered by stating that the panel had overturned decisions by the league related to two transactions involving City, citing procedural unfairness. The panel’s findings are elaborated in paragraphs 592 to 602 of the total 175-page document. The initial point references City’s objection to the original adoption and amended rules earlier this year, determining the exclusion of shareholder loans as unlawful, while stating, “all other challenges fail.”
This case is separate from the ongoing hearing regarding the 115 accusations against City for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, which City contests.
