What now for Newcastle United after APT rule changes voted through by a cowardly majority?

Just four clubs voted against the proposed amendments to the Associated Party Transaction rules, which followed Manchester City's tribunal victory over the Premier League.

After Manchester City won their case against the league, it gave Newcastle United hope that after the current APT rules were deemed unlawful, changes could open the doors for the Saudi Public Investment Fund to invest money into the club via sponsorships from other companies in their portfolio.

It was speculated that this was the reason there had been no training ground, training kit, or stadium sponsor announced yet. Indeed, the hope was that the PIF could bring in huge deals from the likes of Aramco or SAUDIA, but after a 16-4 vote passed the changes through this morning, that doesn't appear to be on the cards.

Newcastle were reportedly amongst only four clubs who voted against the changes, according to The Athletic, along with Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest. Those four votes weren't enough to stop the changes from passing, though, as at least seven were required.

Business as usual for Newcastle United?

While the Premier League has moved to address the points of the old rules which were deemed unlawful, the changes haven't opened the doors like Newcastle might have hoped.

As The Chronicle reports, Newcastle will now have to stick with the current plan of raising revenue through the club.

This makes the decision regarding the new stadium even more key after it was revealed that a move to a new venue could more than double income for the club.

The Premier League is petrified of Newcastle United's owners

While the changes have passed, it doesn't stop Newcastle from acquiring sponsors for the training ground, training kit, and stadium, but they will likely not be anywhere near as lucrative as if the rules had changed more dramatically.

It seems that the Premier League is still terrified of the threat Newcastle's mega-rich owners pose to the status quo and they will keep doing all they can to make sure that the PIF can't use their wealth to run one of their assets how they please.

The corruption continues. We'd also like to give a special shoutout to the cowardly clubs who seem content to just exist in the Premier League without competing and, therefore, won't stand up against the corruption even though it could potentially benefit them. Great work Bournemouth, Everton, Palace, West Ham, et al.