Man City Proceed with Mega-Deal after Premier League Charges Settled | OneFootball

Premier League Settlement with Manchester City Signals a Shift in Sponsorship Rules

The settlement between Manchester City and the Premier League, reported by The Times, closes another chapter in a battle that has dominated the regulatory landscape of English football. At the heart of the dispute lay the rules surrounding Associated Party Transactions (APTs), a framework introduced in the wake of Newcastle United’s Saudi-led takeover. These rules were intended to ensure fair competition by preventing inflated commercial arrangements linked to club ownership.

City, however, have long argued that such regulations unfairly limited their ability to conduct business with Abu Dhabi-based sponsors such as Etihad Airways. According to The Times, “Manchester City have reached a settlement with the Premier League in their latest legal challenge over sponsorship rules, enabling them to now complete a hugely lucrative, long-term deal with Etihad Airways.”

Why sponsorship matters to City and the league

Financial muscle drives modern football, and sponsorship deals are often the key to sustaining competitiveness. City’s previous Etihad deal, signed in 2011, was worth £400 million over ten years. The new agreement, whose value is yet to be disclosed, could potentially be worth as much as £1 billion.

The Premier League’s rationale for APT rules is straightforward: to stop clubs from artificially inflating revenues. Yet the tribunal ruling in February this year found that the rules were “void and unenforceable,” a victory City seized upon. The Times quoted City’s contention that the updated rules “fail to meet the requirements of transparency, objectivity, precision and proportionality . . . and are liable to distort competition.”

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A compromise shaped by necessity

The announcement that both sides have drawn a line under this latest battle is a pragmatic compromise. As reported: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement… As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT rules are valid and binding.”

In return, City received assurances that they will not face discrimination when negotiating deals with Abu Dhabi-linked companies. While City conceded some ground, they have secured the ability to conclude the Etihad arrangement, which strengthens their long-term financial outlook.

This outcome spares both parties an extended and costly tribunal fight, which was forecast to stretch into 2026. For the Premier League, it removes the risk of another damaging defeat in court. For City, it provides the clarity and stability required to secure a transformational commercial deal.

Implications for other clubs

The dispute has always been as much about principle as practice. City have pointed out that shareholder loans at clubs such as Arsenal, Brighton, Everton and Leicester were not categorised as APTs, despite involving vast sums. The Times highlighted City’s claim that this “distorted the competition in favour of Arsenal and other rival clubs.”

That accusation speaks to a deeper unease across the league about consistent treatment of financial inflows. While City have dropped their legal challenge, their insistence on guarantees may prove influential. Other clubs with links to major ownership groups will watch closely, knowing that the precedent could affect how their own sponsorship strategies evolve.

What remains unresolved

Although this matter is settled, the storm clouds have not entirely lifted. The separate case concerning 130 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations remains pending, with a judgment expected soon. That hearing promises to be far more consequential for City’s reputation and potential sporting penalties.

Still, this settlement suggests that both sides recognise the futility of endless legal wrangling. Football governance may need to evolve, but for now, commercial pragmatism has prevailed.

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As a Manchester City supporter, this report from The Times comes as a relief. It feels like the club can finally put one distraction aside and focus on football. For months, it looked like the fight over APT rules would drag on indefinitely. Now the deal with Etihad can go through and that means stability, revenue and a stronger position against rivals who benefit from their own owner funding.

There is pride in seeing City stand firm against what felt like unfair treatment. The tribunal had already declared the rules “void and unenforceable” and the club was right to question why shareholder loans at other clubs were not scrutinised in the same way. At least this settlement acknowledges that City should not be singled out.

Of course, the bigger concern remains the case around alleged breaches, and no fan can ignore that. But at least on sponsorship, the club can breathe easier. Etihad has been part of City’s story for more than a decade and a new long-term deal cements that partnership. It secures resources for the next stage of growth, from academy investment to maintaining Pep Guardiola’s elite squad.

For fans, this outcome feels like common sense prevailing. Rather than more courtroom battles, City can move forward knowing their commercial future is intact. It may not be complete vindication, but it is a vital step in showing the Premier League that the club will not accept being treated differently.