Manchester City are set to engage in a legal battle with the Premier League next week over the organization’s commercial regulations.
BBC Sport understands that an arbitration hearing regarding the legality of the league’s associated party transaction (APT) rules, which assess whether sponsorship deals are financially ‘fair,’ is scheduled for 10-21 June.
In February, BBC Sport reported that the Premier League was facing potential legal action over changes to its rules.
It has been revealed to the other Premier League clubs that City is the club involved, with the league offering the remaining 19 members the opportunity to provide witness statements for the case.
Neither the Premier League nor Manchester City have commented on the matter.
However, The Times reports that it has seen a 165-page legal document in which City claims they are victims of “discrimination,” alleging that the amended rules were approved by rivals to “stifle” their success on the pitch and describing it as “a tyranny of the majority.”
Last month City became the first club in English football history to win the league title in four consecutive seasons.
The move comes just months before a Premier League disciplinary commission will address over 100 charges against Manchester City for alleged breaches of financial regulations, some dating back to 2009.
Some of these charges pertain to payments made to City by sponsors connected to Abu Dhabi.
Earlier this year, the required minimum of 14 clubs agreed to implement new rules regarding sponsorship deals.
At the time, the Premier League stated that the new rules would “enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the system.”
According to The Times, in addition to challenging the rules, City are also seeking damages.
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