Aston Villa have reportedly joined forces with Manchester City, sending a ‘strong’ message to the Premier League ahead of a vote on Associated Party Transactions (APT) scheduled for Friday.
According to The Telegraph, Villa have written a letter to Premier League chief Richard Masters and all top-flight clubs with a ‘strong recommendation’ that Friday’s vote on the amendment no longer takes place. In addition, three arguments are said to have been raised by Villa: possible new legal challenges, continuing doubts about the tribunal’s findings and potential new changes to rules once an independent regulator is brought in.
The report adds that City have contacted other clubs to inform they are voting ‘blind’ on amendments to APT rules that remain ‘void’ as a tribunal continues to clarify a 175-page ruling. The Premier League is said to have written a letter that reportedly references criticism made by City in a previous letter and also dismisses the club’s view on the findings.
Premier League clubs are scheduled to have a meeting on Friday (November 22) at the Nobu Hotel in Portman Square, London. There is hope from the division’s officials that the sit-down can clear the air but it remains to be seen whether that will occur.
City had previously challenged the rules and regulations around APTs that the Premier League currently uses. The club and the Premier League both claimed victory after their APTs court case was concluded last month.
The club had seen commercial deals with Etihad and Abu Dhabi First Bank turned down by the Premier League due to them being deemed not to be struck at a fair market value. “The Club has succeeded with its claim: the Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules have been found to be unlawful and the Premier League’s decisions on two specific MCFC sponsorship transactions have been set aside,” City said in a statement.
The Premier League, meanwhile, added: “The Premier League welcomes the Tribunal’s findings, which endorsed the overall objectives, framework and decision-making of the APT system. The Tribunal upheld the need for the APT system as a whole and rejected the majority of Manchester City ’s challenges.
“Moreover, the Tribunal found that the Rules are necessary in order for the League’s financial controls to be effective.”
