James Murray
Thu 6 March 2025 16:23, UK
Manchester City and Manchester United are likely to be joined by fellow top-flight clubs in backing the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in its dispute with the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
The PFA issued a legal threat to the Premier League earlier last month challenging the proposed introduction of new financial rules, which will limit clubs’ spending to five times the amount the bottom club receives in TV and prize money on transfers, wages and agents.
Man City and Man United moved to block the spending cap after joining forces with the footballers’ association.
It had been anticipated the squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control – which is currently being trialled alongside top-to-bottom anchoring rules (TBA) – would be adopted for next season.
However, the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) are set to remain in place for 2025-26 following Man City’s latest legal challenge against the associated party transaction (APT) rules.
The Times reported on 27 February the Premier League is ready to escalate its legal battle with the PFA in a move that could lead to a “seismic split” between the clubs and their players.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
At the latest meeting of the 20 top-flight clubs, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said it may consider leaving the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee (PFNCC).
Under the agreement of the PFNCC, which comprises representatives of the PFA, the FA, the Premier League and the EFL, the footballers’ association must be consulted on matters that impact players’ pay and conditions.
Sources have told Football Insider more top-flight clubs are now likely to join Man City and Man United in backing the PFA, creating a potential issue for the Premier League.
Everton
Premier League facing ’embarrassing’ situation after Man City legal twist
Man City claimed a significant victory in their APT case last month after the independent panel overseeing the legal battle declared the rules null and void from the period between 2021 and 2024.
The Premier League formed the rules to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed above fair market value.
Top-flight clubs voted through amendments to the rules in November last year despite opposition from Man City, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
The new regulations remain in place, but they will have to be approved independently following a fresh legal challenge by the English champions.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider the Premier League is facing an “embarrassing” situation if it has to accept the new rules are unlawful.
Club Sponsor Value (£m, per year)
Man City Etihad 67.5
Man United Snapdragon 60
Liverpool Standard Chartered 50
Arsenal Emirates 50
Tottenham AIA 40
Newcastle Sela 25
The Premier League’s most valuable front-of-shirt sponsorships, 2024-25 (as per Statista)
Man City could face new investigation after 115 charges case
Man City could face a new investigation if their 115 charges case goes against them following La Liga president Javier Tebas’s latest allegations.
They were dealt the charges by the Premier League in February 2023 for allegedly breaching the financial fair play (FFP) rules over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.
The Manchester giants are alleged to have concealed payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue, with the panel now considering its verdict after the hearing took place in late 2024.
Speaking to journalists at The Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit on 27 February, Tebas accused Man City of an Enron-style deception by hiding their costs in affiliated companies.
The 62-year-old said an investigation is currently ongoing after La Liga filed a complaint to the European Commission about the club’s behaviour in July 2023.
For more Man City news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.
Related Posts