Man City 'sue Premier League' in discrimination case that could impact 115 charges hearing

Manchester City are reportedly seeking damages from the Premier League as they look to throw out the league's 'unlawful' Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

The two organisations are already set for a game-defining hearing later this year over the 115 rule breaches that City have been accused of by the Premier League. And the Times reports that the Blues have put together a 165-page legal document in an attempt to overturn APT rules aimed to prevent sponsorship deals being agreed by associated parties that are above fair market value.

City are claimed to have argued that the rules - introduced in 2021 in the wake of the Newcastle United takeover - are against competition law, as well as being discriminatory to clubs with ties to the Gulf region and clubs that are based outside of London. As well as looking to end the rules, the club are also said to be seeking damages for money they have not been able to make since the 'unlawful' rules were brought in.

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The two-week hearing starting on Monday will have ramifications across the Premier League and ups the stakes between City and the league before the pair battle it out in their charges hearing later this year. The most serious allegations the Blues are defending themselves against in that matter relate to whether or not they provided genuine details of sponsorship deals.

The hearing into their 115 alleged breaches between 2009 and 2023 is believed to be going ahead in the autumn. It has been alleged that City concealed payments made by their owner Sheikh Mansour through third parties and disguised