Man City APT settlement explained amid 115 charges - Premier League agreement, verdict timeline

Manchester City have reached a settlement with the Premier League in their dispute over the rules governing Associated Party Transactions (APTs). The legal action is separate from the 115 charges over alleged FFP breachesbetween 2009 and 2018, which City vehemently denies.

City wanted to sign sponsorship deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank in 2023. However, when they submitted them to the Premier League they were blocked for not being fair-market value under the APT rules.

That is when City challenged the legality of those rules, winning the initial case in 2024 and forcing some of them to be changed. A ruling in February 2025 concluded that all the previous rules must be void. The change in the rules means those deals City agreed to two years ago could now go through.

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Now a conclusion has been reached over their dispute with English football's top-flight over APT rules. Below is a look at the case and what it could mean for City and the Premier League.

Case explained

The APT rules regulate commercial deals between clubs and bodies linked to their owners. These rules were tightened in early 2024 after being introduced in 2021.

City initiated arbitration proceedings on January 20 against the existing APT rules. The case was scheduled for trial in October, but due to a settlement agreement, this will no longer be required.

City statement

In a statement, Man City said: "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."

Premier League statement

The Premier League said: "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."

115 charges difference

City and the Premier League are still waiting for the outcome of an independent commission hearing regarding more than 100 charges against the club for alleged breaches of the league's financial rules - charges City strenuously deny. ‌The case – which was heard in private at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London – concluded at the end of 2024.

A three-man panel have been reviewing the evidence, and they are expected to announce a final verdict soon. It is said that if Man City are found guilty, they could be hit with a serious financial penalty or even potentially a hefty point deduction.

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