Premier League Clubs Vote To Change ATP Rules

Premier League clubs have voted to approve changes to the competition’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules 

At a meeting in London on Friday, it took less than 30 minutes for the clubs to approve the changes to Associated Party Transaction regulations (APTs).

The Premier League asked clubs to vote on changes it deemed fit to make the rules lawful and compliant with UK competition law.

This includes adding shareholder loans to the fair market value (FMV) assessment, the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year and changes to how clubs access the league’s databank, which is used to make FMV decisions.

To pass the amendment, a minimum of 14 Premier League clubs needed to vote in favour. Clubs voted 16 in favour and four against. Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa opposed the bid.

The vote was called for after an independent panel found financial irregularities, following a lawsuit instigated by Manchester City.

APT rules were formed by the Premier League to prevent clubs from profiting from commercial or sponsorship deals with companies linked to their owners that are deemed above “fair market value”.

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The Premier League stated that the rule changes pertained to “integrating the assessment of shareholder loans” and “include the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year”.

“The purpose of the APT rules is to ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at fair market value by virtue of relationships with associated parties,” read a Premier League statement.

For Manchester City, losing the vote may now mean taking further litigation they were threatening, adding to the league’s already growing legal bills and negotiating the rifts within the league.