Premier League tensions are running high after Manchester City letter to other clubs

Newcastle United's hierarchy will likely have been celebrating the outcome of Manchester City's arbitration win over the Premier League regarding Associate Party Transactions.

While there are things to be clarified, the fact that the tribunal declared that the rules around APT are unlawful is a good thing as far as Newcastle are concerned.

It could potentially lead to the club partnering with companies owned by the Saudi Arabian PIF which also owns Newcastle. The absence of rules governing APTs could allow Newcastle to essentially name their price or naming rights to St James' Park and the Benton training ground as well as a sponsor for the training kit.

However, while Manchester City were hailing their victory, the Premier League were also declaring to be victorious too and claiming that while a couple of tweaks are needed, the rules over APTs will remain.

Manchester City have claimed that the Premier League are being 'misleading' after the tribunal outcome

Clearly this hasn't gone down well with Man City who, via their general counsel Simon Cliff, have written a letter to the other 19 clubs and the Premier League claiming that the league's declaration of a victory is 'misleading' as reported by The Times.

“When the PL consulted on and proposed the original APT rules in late 2021, we pointed out that the process (which took several weeks) was rushed, ill-thought-out and would result in rules that were anti-competitive. The recent award (conclusion of the panel) has validated those concerns entirely.

“The tribunal has declared the APT rules to be unlawful. MCFC’s [Manchester City’s] position is that this means all of the APT rules are void, and have been since 2021.

“In recent correspondence, the PL agreed with MCFC that this is an issue which will need to be resolved by the tribunal. It is therefore remarkable that the PL is now seeking to involve the member clubs in a process to amend the APT rules at a time when it does not even know the status of those rules.”

The ruling has upset some of the other Premier League clubs

Now there are some clubs who believe that Manchester City are trying to 'bully' other clubs into a war against the Premier League. The Times doesn't mention which clubs are rising up against the champions, but it's clear that not every club feels the same way about the ruling.

Obviously, Newcastle will be on the side of Manchester City, after all, these rules were brought in to halt Newcastle's progress, so it's unlikely to have been a Newcastle insider who was complaining.

One club chief told The Times: “This latest legal threat is just bullying behaviour by Manchester City and there is a feeling now that the other clubs need to stand up to them.

“The tribunal has found that the Associated Party Transaction system works but that it needs some changes. If City are determined to have another costly legal battle then it could well backfire.”

Another club figure said: “This is damaging the Premier League. Manchester City need to be very careful here.”

The clubs are set to meet next Thursday and it sounds like tempers could flare. Oh to be a fly on the wall.