Richard Masters appears to be squirming after huge defeat that could benefit Newcastle United

Head of the Premier League Richard Masters has released a statement regarding Manchester City's Associated Party Transaction case win and it seems the early signs of confidence have faded.

After the result was released to the public both Manchester City and the Premier League released statements claiming victory, which seemed like a bold move by the Premier League given that elements of their APT rules had been deemed 'unlawful' by the tribunal.

It was a huge blow to the rule which was brought in specificically to stop Newcastle United's Saudi Arabian owners from pumping their vast fortune into the club via inflated sponsorship deals with other PIF-backed companies.

However, the rule didn't just affect Newcastle with Manchester City taking personal offence to being hit in the pocket and ultimately launching a case against the Premier League declaring the rules to be anti-competitive.

Getty Images

The Premier League could postpone Thursday's 'emergency meeting'

Now that the rules have been deemed unlawful an emergency meeting was due to take place this coming Thursday (17th October) but that may now be pushed back as Richard Masters scrambles. In a statement picked up by The Chronicle. Masters certainly seems to have had the wind knocked out of his sails.

"There have been many club conversations over recent days, with constructive and informative feedback provided. We now have a comprehensive set of information and data which is helping to inform our recommended approach and rule amendment drafting.

"We are taking the necessary time to develop our proposals and the associated draft rule amendments for club consideration. We will circulate these to clubs when fully considered and ready, which may impact on the scheduling of our planned meetings with Financial Controls and Legal Advisory Groups, and all clubs next week."

Newcastle will be awaiting the outcome before making any moves on new partnerships

It doesn't sound like the Premier League has any intention of scrapping the APT rules completely, but they're certainly set for an overhaul of some kind.

Newcastle will be hoping for a big change in order to bring in some top partnerships which could boost the club's bottom line.

Perhaps we'll see St James' Park become something like the Aramco Stadium as the players sport Disney on the training kit to be worn at the SAUDIA training ground ... that'll do nicely. Okay maybe not Disney on the training kit, that probably opens us up to a lot of jokes.