Premier League gets called out for maintaining absolute secrecy unnecessarily in Manchester City’s case
Premier League authorities were criticized for maintaining secrecy over the outcome of Manchester City's case, over sponsorship rules.
Manchester City's case against the Premier League over sponsorship rules is yet to be made public. (via NY Times)
The Premier League authorities have been slammed by a top sports law barrister Nick De Marco for clinging on to their secrecy surrounding Manchester City’s legal problems. The Cityzens are currently ensued in a legal battle over sponsorship rules in the EPL.
Manchester City have found themselves in trouble over the past year, owing to the allegations of 115 counts of financial breaches, leveled against them. A new battle heated up between the club and the Premier League authorities over associated party transaction (APT) rules. This was over City challenging to review APT laws, which ensure that sponsorship deals are done at fair market value. Other clubs had voted to approve tougher rules, but the EPL champions argued that it violates competition laws.
A private legal hearing, took place in June this year, over APT laws. EPL clubs once again met this week in London, but the APT rules agenda remained off the list. This has led many to speculate that City might have won the legal battle against the PL, despite 19 clubs voting against it. Sports lawyer Nick De Marco questioned the EPL, demanding the outcome of the case to be made public. Moreover, he criticized the secrecy laws of the league and suggested to induce more transparency in its functioning.
Everyone is now speculating about the alleged outcome of the MCFC v PL Rule X arbitration, and who might have won what. But nobody can know what the result is (if indeed there has been one) or how it was reached, because the PL cling on to absolute secrecy. It does their… https://t.co/FnaR9Pla3g
— Nick De Marco KC (@nickdemarco_) September 26, 2024
Nick De Marcos himself represented Leicester City last month after they successfully appealed against an alleged breach in EPL Profit and Sustainability laws. The resolution over the APT case is yet to be made public, with some expecting it to come out soon.
Manchester City suffer some major injury setbacks at the beginning of the new season
Manchester City has been plagued with a massive injury crisis this season after several players have been ruled out for a considerable amount of time. Midfielder Rodri most recently suffered an injury, that brought his 2024-25 season to an abrupt end.
The Spanish midfielder underwent surgery after injuring his knee in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal. He has reportedly suffered an ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season. His injury will leave a huge void to fill, with the club having not lost the last 48 matches in which he played. He will be joined by Kevin De Bruyne, who is set to miss a few matches.
Meanwhile, Oscar Bobb and Nathan Ake are expected to be out of City’s next match against Newcastle, leaving manager Pep Guardiola with reduced options in the starting XI. The EPL champions next face the Magpies, before travelling to Slovakia for a UCL match.
Siddhartha Roy
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