The rules of the Premier League governing the sponsorship agreements of the period between 2021 and 2024 are “null and inapplicable”, a court has governed.
Last year, an independent arbitration panel found against aspects of the Associated Party Transaction Regulations (APT) after a demand instigated by Manchester City.
The Premier League says that the court ruling does not affect the “valid operation” of the current APT rules, which believes that they remain “valid and enforceable” and remain in “all their strength.”
The rules were formed by the Premier League to prevent clubs from benefiting from trade agreements with companies linked to their owners that are considered previous “fair market value.”
In November, the Premier League voted through the amendments to the rules despite the opposition of Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, as well as the city.
Friday’s ruling is not judging the November amendments that are still maintained, but they are subject to a legal challenge.
The conclusion of the court says: “In the first partial final prize it was declared that the APT rules and modified APT rules were illegal in three aspects.
“Now the decision of the question of whether those three respects can be separated from the remaining APT rules so that those remaining APT rules are valid and enforceable.
“The three respects in which the APT rules and modified APT rules were illegal cannot be cut with the result that the APT rules as a whole are null and inapplicable.”
In a statement, the Premier League said: “This decision expressly does not affect the valid operation of the new rules.
“The court has not made findings regarding the validity and effectiveness of the new rules. The court establishes that if its decision has any benefit to the club, therefore, it depends on whether the new APT rules are legal as part of the Part of the second challenge issued by the club last month.
“The League continues to believe that the new APT rules are valid and enforceable and pressing an expeditious resolution of this matter.
“The new APT rules are in full validity and clubs remain forced to meet all aspects of the system, even to present loans for shareholders to the Premier League for a fair market value assessment.”
