Premier League and Manchester City resolve their opposing views on sponsorship, putting an end to their conflict.

Manchester City and Premier League Settle Dispute Over Sponsorship Rules

In a significant development, the Premier League and Manchester City have reached an agreement to end their dispute over sponsorship rules. This marks the end of a long-running saga that has been dubbed as the "trial of the century" by the British press.

The dispute began in October 2024 when an arbitration procedure was launched, following Manchester City's challenge of the APT regulations. These regulations, introduced in 2021, govern commercial partnership agreements with companies linked to club owners. The club, bought in 2008 by an investment fund from the United Arab Emirates, particularly felt the impact of these rules due to its close ties with Etihad Airways.

Initially, the Premier League accused Manchester City of deliberately circumventing financial rules between 2009 and 2018. However, the club denied these accusations and maintained that all APT rules were null and void. Despite this, Manchester City acknowledged that the current APT rules are valid and binding as part of the agreement.

The independent commission heard the positions of both parties at the end of 2024. Following this, the Premier League amended its regulation at the end of 2024, with the approval of a majority of clubs. Manchester City, however, responded by challenging the new version of the regulation, leading to a second arbitration procedure.

In a joint statement, both parties announced the end of the procedure. The case is now expected to deliver its decision in October 2025. It is worth noting that there are no relevant or available search results regarding the person or organization that issued the ruling in the second arbitration proceeding.

This settlement brings an end to a contentious chapter in the history of both the Premier League and Manchester City. The club, known for its meteoric rise, will now focus on the upcoming football season, aiming to continue its success on the pitch.

Premier League and Manchester City resolve their opposing views on sponsorship, putting an end to their conflict.