Man City legal twist: Premier League boss told 'hang your head in shame'

19/02/2025 14:00

Man City claimed victory in their Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules fight against the Premier League last week.

In a new twist, the APT rules have been declared null and void by an independent panel – but they were replaced by a new set of guidelines in November 2024 which will also have to be approved independently.

City have already launched a new challenge against the fresh rulebook and as per Sky Sports (15 February), they are confident a panel will also rule in their favour.

The Premier League champions brought the legal action after being prevented from striking lucrative new deals with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – took aim at two key top-flight figures after the new twist in the courtroom.

Wyness hits out at Premier League chiefs after Man City legal win

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness hit out at Premier League CEO Richard Masters and told chairperson Alison Brittain to “hang her head in shame”.

Masters replaced Richard Scudamore permanently in 2019, while Brittain was appointed as chair in 2022.

Wyness insisted the Premier League need to keep disputes “behind the scenes” and prevent more “legal situations” emerging.

He told Football Insider's Insider Track podcast: "This has opened up another can of worms.

"It's raising a lot of questions in the media and in Premier League circles about the ability of the league to govern itself and the rulebook we've got.

"A lot of questions are being asked about Richard Masters, but also about the chairwoman Alison Brittain.

"She has been anonymous. I've said before, I think she's the one who has to hang her head in shame at how things are developed.

"It really is up to a chairperson to handle these issues and make sure the company they are chairing is heading in the right direction.

"It's time for the Premier League to do a lot more work with lobbying behind the scenes to stop these things becoming a legal situation.

"Deals have got to be struck behind closed doors. Richard Scudamore was great at that, and that's where Masters and Brittain aren't quite up to the mark."

Bernardo Silva could quit in next step of Man City rebuild

On the pitch at Man City, Football Insider has revealed (17 February) that Bernardo Silva is wanted by clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia.

Silva will assess his City future at the end of the 2024-25 campaign – when he will have just 12 months left to run on his contract.

Pep Guardiola's side already started their rebuild in January by moving veteran defender Kyle Walker on to Italian giants AC Milan, while Kevin De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of this season.

For more Man City and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post Man City legal twist: Premier League boss told 'hang your head in shame' appeared first on Football Insider.