What part of APT rules was found to be discriminatory?

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Parts of the Premier League's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules were found to be discriminatory and procedurally unfair.

An arbitration panel has ruled that certain aspects of the Premier League's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules contravene British competition law. Specifically, the panel determined that the rules were unlawfully applied because clubs were not given the opportunity to comment on the data considered by the league. Consequently, the Premier League's decisions concerning two specific Manchester City transactions in 2023 have been invalidated due to procedural unfairness.
Exclusion of Shareholder Loans Deemed Discriminatory

The arbitration panel found the APT rules to be discriminatory due to their deliberate exclusion of shareholder loans. Manchester City argued that this exclusion created an uneven playing field, as it permitted certain forms of owner subsidies, such as non-commercial loan arrangements, while prohibiting others, like non-commercial sponsorship agreements. This distinction was identified as a factor that distorts competition within the league.
Procedural Unfairness in Application of Rules

The ruling specifically addressed the Premier League's handling of two transactions involving Manchester City in 2023. The panel concluded that the league's decisions in these instances were reached in a procedurally unfair manner. As a result, these specific decisions must be overturned, indicating a flaw in how the APT rules were implemented against the club.
Structural Unfairness and Abuse of Dominant Position Alleged

Manchester City asserted that the Premier League had abused its dominant market position and that the APT rules themselves were structurally unfair. The club further contended that the rules were applied in a discriminatory fashion in practice. The panel's findings suggest that these structural and practical unfairnesses were significant enough to warrant a ruling against the league's application of the APT system.

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What part of APT rules was found to be discriminatory?

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