Newcastle United warned over APTs truth amid Man City Premier League support

The Premier League is currently embroiled in a civil war with its member clubs, with Manchester City at the forefront of a row over the league's Associated Party Transactions regulations

Premier League clubs have been alerted to the potential for significant costs due to an ongoing internal conflict that could disrupt the unity of English football's top division. According to The Mirror, a growing faction is now aligning with Manchester City in their bid to declare Associated Party Transaction (APTs) regulations as unlawful.

It remains uncertain whether Newcastle United are among the clubs supporting City in their ongoing dispute with the Premier League, but they will no doubt be linked with support due to the benefits a positive ruling can bring to PIF. An independent judicial body has backed City's case regarding APTs, ruling the current regulations incompatible with British competition law.

The reigning champions of England's top-flight are also challenging the Premier League in a separate case involving 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the league's financial rules (FFP). This case began three weeks ago and is expected to last between eight to ten weeks, with a verdict anticipated in the new year.

Last season, Everton and Nottingham Forest were penalised with points deductions for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), leading them into two additional costly legal battles. Simon Leaf, a prominent sports lawyer at global law firm Mischon de Reya, suggests that the world's wealthiest national football league could face serious consequences in relation to negotiations for future broadcasting and sponsorship agreements.

The Mirror has quoted a football finance expert expressing concern over ongoing legal disputes involving the Premier League: "If the Premier League is seen fighting constant legal battles with its member clubs then that does serious damage to the brand. This is a league that is seen as one of the country's crown jewels. It's the envy of all the other leagues around the world.", reports Football London.

He warned, "The damage might not happen overnight, but when the game is being played out in court rooms rather than on the pitch then it isn't the kind of thing that sponsors and broadcasters will want a piece of."

The expert emphasised that the reputation of the Premier League is at stake: "There will be damage to the brand that you can't put a number on at the moment. It is often said that there is no such thing as bad news - but ultimately when it comes to external sponsors, especially from overseas, looking at who they want to partner with there maybe more of a temptation now to perhaps go with La Liga rather than the Premier League."

He added, "A civil war like this really isn't good for business. It brings the Premier League into disrepute."

Meanwhile, Premier League chief Richard Masters addressed the sponsorship row within the league, previously highlighting that resolution won’t come immediately. However, he assured that necessary changes to regulations would be 'effectively remedied'.

Masters has reportedly reached out via email to all 20 clubs in England’s top division this week with an update.

Masters penned that required changes could be 'quickly and effectively' addressed. He is reported to have said that the Premier League now possesses 'a comprehensive set of information and data which is helping them to inform our recommended approach and rules amendment drafting'.