A panel found two sections of the associated party transaction (APT) rules to be invalid, upholding some of the charges made against City, which is controlled by the City Football Group, which is financed by Abu Dhabi.
However, according to the Premier League, the tribunal “endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system” and rejected most of Manchester City’s challenges.
APTs are designed to measure the value of sponsorship agreements with businesses associated with club owners.
The Premier League disciplinary commission, which will hear 115 charges against City for allegedly breaking its financial regulations—some of which stretch back to the Premier League—is unrelated to this case.
The tribunal said in a 175-page paper that certain changes made by the Premier League in February should not be kept in place and that shareholder loans should not be exempt from the APT regulations.
Chelsea, Newcastle, and Everton all served as witnesses for City throughout this arbitration process.
