Premier League owners discuss legal disputes – FBC News

On Thursday, Premier League owners met for the first time this season as champions Manchester City are embroiled in two legal disputes with the league.

The meeting in central London ended without any news on Manchester City’s lawsuit against the Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules that govern commercial dealings with companies linked to the club’s owners.

Some clubs had expected to be informed of a decision, but league sources and several club representatives present said the matter was not discussed at the two-hour meeting.

And because this is a confidential arbitration, there may be no formal notice even if a judgment is entered.

Separately, several undisclosed rule changes – including one affecting the Premier League’s “database” to which clubs must submit commercial information and which is one of the ways the league’s board reviews deals for fair market value – were dropped following feedback from clubs.

The league’s legal costs last season – which rose to over £45million due to a series of disputes over financial rules – have been debated, with some clubs questioning the cost. The league believes this is the result of unprecedented legal action and the need to uphold its rules.

Clubs were also informed that testing of the semi-automatic offside technology is still ongoing and may not be introduced until the new year.