The English Premier League has faced criticism from a leading sports lawyer for its “secrecy” regarding Manchester City’s legal battle over sponsorship rules.
City had challenged proposed changes to the associated party transaction (APT) rules, which would impose stricter regulations on sponsorship deals for English Premier League clubs. However, a vote to amend these rules was withdrawn from this week’s meeting, leading some to speculate that City had succeeded in their legal challenge.
Nick de Marco KC, the lawyer who represented Leicester in their cases against the Premier League, has called for greater transparency on the matter.
A private arbitration hearing took place in June regarding the APT rules, designed to ensure that sponsorship and revenue agreements are conducted at fair market value. Although clubs approved tougher regulations in February, Manchester City contested the motion.
English Premier League chief executive Richard Masters reportedly informed clubs on Thursday that several rules would not be voted on due to feedback from various clubs ahead of the meeting.
In a tweet, De Marco remarked: “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 reputation no good at all, at a time the govt. is considering the powers of a new independent football regulator, to keep such important matters of football regulation, that effect the whole competition, secret. If there is a decision of the very learned panel, it should now be published.”
The legal dispute between Manchester City and the Premier League is expected to continue, with a resolution on the APT ruling anticipated in the coming days. Meanwhile, City’s case concerning their 115 charges of financial breaches remains under discussion, with an outcome not expected for several months.
