Stefan Borson: PL facing 'embarrassing' situation in Man City legal battle

Premier League officials will lobby to ensure any proposed changes to the associated party transaction (APT) rules receive the necessary approval in their battle against Manchester City.

That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider it would be “too embarrassing” for the Premier League to see its next proposal turned down in a top-flight vote.

Man City took legal action against the governing body regarding the APT rules currently in place at an arbitration hearing in June.

Both sides have claimed a victory in the case after the arbitration panel’s decision was published on 7 October, where two aspects of the rules were deemed to be unlawful.

After the 20 top-flight clubs held a meeting on 22 October to discuss the next steps, the Premier League will now update its proposals around rules governing commercial deals.

A vote on any rule changes would require a two-thirds majority to be approved.

Man City could have to wait until after Christmas for APT changes

Borson revealed it could be after Christmas before the clubs are asked to vote on the matter.

He told Football Insider: “I suspect what would happen this time is it would be too embarrassing for the Premier League to table changes that they aren’t certain would get through.

“I think what there is going to have to be is a fair amount of lobbying and pre-clearance that goes on with the subcommittees that are preparing these draft rules.

“It doesn’t look like a quick process.

“The big question on that basis is what’s happening in the interim period to ongoing commercial deals where people are seeking approval or new commercial deals where people are seeking approval?

“What is the rulebook that you are required to adhere to in respect of those transactions in the meantime? Nobody knows.

“It could be before Christmas, but it may be just after Christmas before we get a new set of rules in maybe a January meeting.”

In other news, Man City “pushing to get Florian Wirtz deal done”, says transfer guru.

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