Manchester City Settle Legal Dispute With Premier League Over APT Rules

Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement to end their legal dispute over the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules, with the club accepting that the regulations are “valid and binding.”

Both parties released statements on Monday confirming they had “agreed to terminate the proceedings,” bringing the case to a close.

The settlement is separate from the ongoing hearing into the 115 financial charges brought against City by the Premier League, allegations the club strongly denies. 

That hearing, overseen by a three-person panel between September and December 2024, has yet to deliver a verdict.

City’s legal challenge stemmed from amendments to the APT rules, introduced last November after a 16–4 vote among Premier League clubs.

The updated rules were designed to ensure greater scrutiny of sponsorship and shareholder loans, preventing inflated deals with associated parties that could distort fair market value.

Despite months of legal wrangling, both City and the Premier League have now agreed to drop the case.

In a joint statement, they said: "The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement in relation to the arbitration commenced by the club earlier this year concerning the Premier League's Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules, and as a result the parties have agreed to terminate the proceedings. This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding."

Neither side will provide further comment on the matter.

City return to action on Sunday in the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, as Pep Guardiola’s side look to bounce back from their worst start to a season since 2005–06 after losing two of their first three league games.