Premier League club owner releases statement in support of Man City over civil war
Manchester City sent a letter to the other 19 Premier League clubs last week to ask for support in their battle over APT regulations and they have received backing from Aston Villa
by Felix Keith · The MirrorAston Villa co-owner Nassef Sawiris has come out publicly in support of Manchester City in their battle against the Premier League.
City are challenging the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs), which they believe are “unlawful”. The Premier League champions wrote to the other 19 clubs in the division last week to state their case ahead of a vote on fresh proposals around the rules on Friday.
Both City and the Premier League claimed victory last month after an arbitration panel ruled on aspects of the APT regulations. They exist to try and ensure sponsorships with companies linked to clubs' owners represent fair market value and aren't inflated.
After the arbitration, the Premier League has now proposed several amendments, which will be voted on at a meeting of all the clubs on Friday. City told the other 19 clubs that the league was "rushing through its consultation process" and urged them to vote against the amendments.
The feud between City and the Premier League has grown bitter, with more legal action threatened by Pep Guardiola ’s side. Villa have now shown their hand ahead of the vote, with Sawiris confirming that his club will stand on City’s side of the argument by voting against the APT rules.
“In our view, a vote in 90 days on amended terms taking into consideration the Tribunal’s findings will have a significantly greater chance of securing the unanimous support of all 20 Premier League clubs,” Egypt’s richest man said in a statement issued to the Telegraph.
“Crucially, a unanimous vote will present a fresh start for an embattled Premier League that began with the failed attempt to launch a Super League in 2021. With the imminent arrival of the Government’s Independent Football Regulator, it is more important than ever that the Premier League can present itself to the regulator with a united front. In our view, this will be far more easily achieved if the APT vote is held in February and supported unanimously by all clubs.
“It is noteworthy that legal bills to date on this matter have already reached astronomical amounts; further challenges and escalation of these fees could be avoided through reaching consensus. Ultimately, a unanimous vote will showcase the emergence of a new era of clubs who can compete vigorously on the pitch but work together to strengthen the Premier League and its global appeal.”
Sawiris, who bought the club alongside American businessman Wes Edens in 2018, has previously been critical of the Premier League. Back in June he called for reform in an interview with the Financial Times. "Some of the rules have actually resulted in cementing the status quo more than creating upward mobility and fluidity in the sport,” he said.
"The rules do not make sense and are not good for football. Managing a sports team has become more like being a treasurer or a bean counter rather than looking at what your team needs. It's more about creating paper profits, not real profits. It becomes a financial game, not a sporting game."
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