MANCHESTER CITY have reached a settlement with the Premier League in their APT rules case.
The Etihad side confirmed in a statement that the arbitration against them has now been terminated.
City’s gripe initially stemmed from a blocked sponsorship deal with stadium and shirt sponsor Etihad Airlines in 2023, which was not deemed to be of “fair market value”.
After a tribunal sided with Pep Guardiola’s team, the Prem opted to modify the relevant rule, rather than scrapping it altogether.
This led to a further legal challenge by City, with a second tribunal scheduled for October.
The panel will not be required, however, after City and the Premier League agreed to settle.
A club statement read: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement in relation to the arbitration commenced by the club earlier this year concerning the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules and as a result the parties have agreed to terminate the proceedings.
“This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules.
“As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding.
“It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter.”
The Prem’s APT rules were introduced four years ago in a bid to block bloated sponsorship deals with companies affiliated to club owners at prices not deemed to be “fair market value”.
Following today’s development, City expect to be able to proceed with their Etihad deal as previously planned.
The 10-year contract penned in 2011 between the two parties was worth a total £400million.
An extension is anticipated to far exceed that sum.
Man City still face a minimum of 115 charges regarding the Prem’s spending rules, which has since been upgraded to 130 alleged breaches.
Today’s settlement does not affect the separate spending charges levelled at City.
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