Football Finance expert Kieran Maguire warns Newcastle United fans not to get too hopeful if APT rules are abolished

Despite what was seen as a victory for Manchester City against the Premier League in the case of reworking the rules around Associated Party Transactions, the Premier League have made the bare minimum adjustments which were voted through by a cowardly majority of Premier League clubs.

The vote past with 16 votes to four and the rules were ever so slightly amended to bring them just the right side of legal, however Manchester City aren't happy with the new rules, and Newcastle United, who gave evidence at the tribunal in support of Man City, are likely to back the champions again.

The Associated Party Transactions rules (APT) were brought in as a direct response to the ratification of the Saudi PIF-backed takeover of Newcastle and was designed to stop owners with vast resources exploiting an FFP/PSR loophole that would allow them to fund their clubs with money via their other companies through sponsorship deals.

If an owner isn't allowed to put their own money in thanks to PSR, then this was a way around it that the Premier League didn't like. Basically, they blocked any chance of Newcastle becoming successful too quickly.

UEFA have rules that will prevent Newcastle going wild with sponsorships if APT is scrapped

The tribunal agreed with Manchester City last time around, and it will be the same tribunal who will deal with the case again, so City will be feeling optimistic that they can get the APT rules rubbished.

However, football finance expert Kieran Maguire spoke to The Boot Room and has warned Newcastle fans not to get too excited because even if the Premier League's APT rules are scrapped, UEFA have something similar which could put the blockers on.

“Even if it is abolished completely, you have still got UEFA’s rules and there is a fair market provision there,” said the Price of Football author and industry insider.

"I think people focus on the Premier League as being the only game in town, but it’s not.

“At the same time, a relaxation of the fair market value provision, which has already been diluted, would be potentially beneficial for Newcastle.

"It has to be said that PIF are taking a much more cautious approach than many Newcastle fans had wished for.

“They thought they were going to be showered with gifts. That hasn’t materialised and PSR has been the main driver of that. I can understand the frustration of Newcastle fans.

“In terms of how the Premier League would implement fair market value post-APT, they would still go through similar routes that they have at present.

“They would perhaps do them in-house and in alignment with UEFA to give some credibility to the approach.”

Are the other clubs scared of the Premier League or scared of Newcastle United?

What this essentially boils down to is that Newcastle United aren't allowed nice things.

We didn't want to just buy our way to success, but we're not going to lie; it would have been nice and pretty fun. But we are happy to do it the right way, as long as the right way makes sense.

Right now, it just feels like we are being specifically targeted, and other clubs are going along with it just to either see us fail or because they are terrified of the repercussions if they stand up. Eventually, they'll realise that they've just stifled themselves and will likely live to regret it.

Hopefully, that comes sooner rather than later, and we can get this sport back on track.