Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement in their long-running dispute over rules governing associated party transactions (APT). In a joint statement released this week, both sides confirmed that City have accepted the APT regulations as “valid and binding,” effectively bringing an end to a costly legal battle that has dragged on for more than a year. Neither party will be making further public comment on the matter.
City had previously challenged the rules, arguing that the Premier League’s regulations — designed to prevent clubs from striking inflated commercial deals with companies linked to their owners — were unlawful and anti-competitive. The dispute escalated after a tribunal ruling last year found parts of the APT framework unlawful, including attempts to exclude low-interest shareholder loans from consideration. Despite opposition from City, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa, most Premier League clubs voted in November 2024 to amend and strengthen the rules.
The settlement closes one chapter in City’s ongoing legal battles with the league, but the club still faces a landmark disciplinary hearing over more than 100 alleged breaches of financial regulations. City deny any wrongdoing, and the outcome of that case is expected to have major implications for both the club and the wider governance of English football.