Stefan Borson
Sun 4 May 2025 11:49, UK
Manchester City have been locked in a legal battle with the Premier League over its associated party transaction (APT) rules for almost a year.
The Manchester giants succeeded in getting the APT rules changed after taking legal action last June, but they are still unhappy with the regulations.
Man City launched a new accusation at the Premier League last month after claiming the rules favoured Arsenal, Everton and Leicester City, who have benefitted greatly from loans from their owners.
The Times reported on 29 April those clubs could now be forced to disclose detailed information about their shareholder loans.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider the APT rules will have to be changed again if the club win their second APT case.
Man City could have to wait until the beginning of 2026 before the panel publishes its verdict in their second APT case, with the trial set to take place in mid-October.
Man City
(Credit: Getty Images)
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Man City claim revealed after new legal twist
Borson revealed Man City are arguing their Premier League rivals have used their shareholder loans to buy players and pay the wages.
He told Football Insider: “As part of the process around APT 2, City are trying to demonstrate that the actual provision of those shareholder loans gave the other clubs an advantage above and beyond what they said, which was to encourage investment.
“Now, I think the Premier League’s position when they went to the first tribunal was that they excluded shareholder loans and equity investments because they wanted to encourage what they called investment.
“But I think they were pointing it more towards things like stadia, training grounds and this sort of infrastructure around the clubs. Therefore, they didn’t want to discourage people from spending money on that.
“I think what City are trying to show with these questions is that actually there were no restrictions on what shareholder loans could be used for and they were actually used for playing side stuff, such as buying players, paying salaries, these sorts of things.
“Therefore, City will say that undermines the difference between a shareholder loan on the one hand and other forms of associated party transactions on the other.
“If they can demonstrate that they feel that they will have a better chance of succeeding in saying that the shareholder loans effectively have to be treated exactly the same as other APTs, and if they get to that point, then of course they win the second hearing and the rules that are put in place right now will have to be changed again.”
Position Team Played Points GD
1 Liverpool 34 82 48
2 Arsenal 35 67 33
3 Man City 35 64 24
4 Newcastle United 34 62 21
5 Chelsea 34 60 19
6 Nottingham Forest 34 60 12
7 Aston Villa 35 60 6
Premier League table (as of 03/05/2025)
Man City to agree Rodri deal as Real Madrid swoop
In terms of on-field matters, Football Insider revealed on 25 April Man City will offer Rodri a new long-term contract following interest from Real Madrid.
The Spain international, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, is under contract at the Etihad until June 2027.
The 28-year-old has spent most of this season on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, but Real Madrid remain interested in signing the midfielder.
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