Manchester City launch massive legal action against the Premier League on ‘Newcastle United Amendments’

Manchester City have launched major legal action against the Premier League.

The hearing will be held in private and starting on Monday, is expected to last two weeks.

The Times carrying the exclusive on Tuesday afternoon with the legal bid attempting to end the Premier League’s (relatively) recently introduced Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

These were rapidly introduced after the Newcastle United takeover and are even said to be informally referred to by all of those involves as the ‘Newcastle United amendments.’

Basically, leaving little room for doubt as to exactly what the introduction of these hastily brought in rules was all about, attempting to stop the Saudi Arabia PIF led consortium making Newcastle United competitive.

Obviously though, at the same time this has significantly provoked Manchester City as well, leading to this legal action.

The Times reporting that Manchester City are attempting to bring a swift end to these Associated Party Transaction regulations, which they claim are unlawful and were approved by rival clubs in an attempt to stifle the likes of Manchester City (and Newcastle United).

Such APT sponsorship deals have to be ‘independently’ assessed by a Premier League appointed body and will only be approved if they are judged to be ‘fair market value’.

The Times say that the other 19 Premier League teams were invited to participate in the legal action, with as many as up to 12 of the 19 claimed to have stepping forward in support of Manchester City.

The Times add that this newly revealed legal action is completely separate to Manchester City and their much awaited Premier League hearing, relating to the 115 alleged historical breaches of financial rules over many years. That hearing is said to be expected to start in November 2024 and last around six weeks, with all kinds of punishments possible for Manchester City, even including potential relegation.