Manchester City scores major victory in Premier League legal dispute

Manchester City appears to have scored a major victory against the Premier League over related-party transactions.

The eight-time champions filed a lawsuit against the Premier League earlier this year, making a number of grievances, including related-party transfers, and City believes the rules are discriminatory.

A related-party transaction is any transaction completed between a club and a related party, from sponsorship to transfers and payments to individuals such as players, managers or senior officials.

City says the rules put in place after Newcastle's Saudi-led takeover in 2021 and which prevent clubs from signing inflated sponsorship deals with entities linked to the club are unfair.

City's lawsuit comes as the club faces 115 charges of alleged breaches of financial rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

What rules is City accused of breaching?

The allegations against the club include failure to provide accurate and up-to-date financial information (2009-2018), failure to provide accurate financial reporting of player and manager remuneration (2009-2018), failure to comply with UEFA regulations, including Financial Fair Play regulations, breaches of the Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (2015-2018) and failure to cooperate with Premier League investigations (2018-2023).

Manchester City denies any wrongdoing and has decided to lodge a complaint against the Premier League over the rules.

Manchester City appears to have scored a victory against the Premier League over related-party trading, as a vote to change the rules was withdrawn at the last minute at a club meeting this morning.

"Sources revealed that the vote was withdrawn at the 'last minute', which could be interpreted as a strong sign of success for Manchester City in their legal challenge - as there is little point in voting to change rules that could soon change or even become invalid," the report said.