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      Arsenal and Chelsea to be dragged into Man City vs Premier League legal battle as landmark case leads to bitter war

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      MANCHESTER CITY’S legal brawl with the Prem is set to drag rivals, including Arsenal and Chelsea, into the fight.In what was hailed a landmark ruling, the Prem champs claimed victory as an element of the rules on commercial deals involving companies linked to clubs’ owners was judged “unlawful”.Manchester City claimed victory in a dispute with the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyMan City’s legal battle with the Prem is set to drag Arsenal and Chelsea inCredit: GettyArsenal and Chelsea are believed to have ploughed hundreds of millions into the club in loansCredit: AlamyIt related to shareholder loans not being included in the “Associated Party Transaction” calculation.Arsenal owners the Kroenkes are believed to have ploughed nearly £260million into the club in loans. Chelsea received £146m in the first year of their new ownership model.Brighton’s Tony Bloom has put £373m into the Seagulls, while Everton, who are subject to a takeover from The Friedkin Group, have the highest shareholder loans at £451m.That has been loaned at low or even zero interest and will almost certainly now need recalculating.Read More on FootballFormer Master of the Rolls — the country’s second most senior lawyer — Lord Dyson and two fellow judges agreed the rule preventing City from responding to the Prem over “Fair Market Value” of two proposed deals was “procedurally unfair”.But a number of City’s other claims against Prem rules “failed”, including that the League wrongly applied its regulations.Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Brentford, West Ham, Fulham, Wolves and Bournemouth gave evidence on behalf of the Prem.It has all left battle lines drawn even deeper — with the case into City’s alleged 115 financial breaches still being heard.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCity launched the case after tighter rules were voted in by Prem clubs at a meeting in February.The club said yesterday: “The Tribunal found both the original APT rules and the current (amended) APT Rules violate UK competition law and procedural fairness . . . ”Man City vs Fulham: Player Ratings Breakdown“The Premier League was specifically unfair in how it applied those rules to the Club in practice.“They deliberately excluded shareholder loans while the Premier League reached decisions in a procedurally unfair manner.”City’s case centred on two sponsorship proposals, with First Abu Dhabi Bank and Etihad Aviation Group.But while the Arbitration Tribunal — which heard evidence in June — did side with City on some matters, League bosses claimed THEY had won.A Prem spokesman said: “Manchester City brought a wholesale challenge to the APT Rules.“The club was unsuccessful in the majority of its challenge.“Significantly, the Tribunal determined the APT Rules are necessary.“It rejected Manchester City’s argument that APT Rules were to discriminate against clubs with ownership from the ‘Gulf region’.“Except in two respects, it found that Manchester City’s arguments were unfounded.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut League chiefs believe they need only make minor changes — and new rules will be tabled for club chiefs to vote on as soon as next week.The spokesman added: “In the meantime, the Premier League will operate the existing APT system, taking into account the findings made by the Tribunal.”Man City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher. More

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      Fans spot Pep Guardiola coaching opposition player at final whistle and claim it’s ‘because he loves football so much’

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      FANS think they’ve spotted Pep Guardiola coaching Fulham star Adama Traore after Manchester City’s hard-fought 3-2 win over the Cottagers.City struggled to put the game to bed against a restless Fulham side, with Traore causing all sorts of problems throughout his 90 minutes.Pep Guardiola could be seen deep in conversation with Fulham’s Adama TraoreCredit: ReutersThe Man City boss first hugged the Fulham winger before he began talking with handsCredit: AlamyGoals from Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku helped City stay second behind leaders Liverpool and level on points with Arsenal.Marco Silva’s side opened the scoring through Andreas Pereira after a sublime backheel assist from Raul Jimenez.But it didn’t take long for the hosts to equalise through Kovacic, before the Croatian doubled their lead in the 47th minute.Fulham could have made City pay on several occasions, with Traore missing two golden chances including a one-on-one opportunity against Ederson after brilliantly out-pacing speed king Kyle Walker.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSOne of the biggest talking points was Traore’s lack of composure in front of goal.In fact, after the full-time whistle, Guardiola walked over to hug Traore and began animatedly gesturing while speaking with the winger.Guardiola looked passionate as he began waving his arms, turning his body and kicking an invisible ball while in deep conversation.The Spanish pair stood together for a lengthy period in the middle of the Etihad pitch – and fans quickly assumed that it was a coaching session.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFormer Prem striker Robert Earnshaw shared the clip on X writing: “Pep loves football so much that he went over to coach the opponent player.”Another fan wrote on X: “Guardiola’s passion for football knows no bounds and his love for the game is unmatched.”Man City vs Fulham: Player Ratings BreakdownA third said: “I can’t believe it Pep is actually coaching City’s Traore.”A fourth replied: “OMG. How can a Prem manager give tactical advice to an opponent. Pep just loves football. Traore almost scored a few 😂.”One more wrote: “I assume Pep is coaching up Adama after those missed chances. I love this.”Guardiola later heaped praise on Traore, saying: “Adama, he’s unstoppable that game. “We couldn’t control when he had the ball. You have to defend in your 18-yard box.”Doku came off the bench to extend City’s lead, but a Rodrigo Muniz strike in the 88th minute set up a nervy end for the Citizens.Mateo Kovacic scored twice for Manchester City as they edged past Fulham More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo tells Al-Nassr chiefs to make Kevin De Bruyne transfer offer he can’t refuse to leave Man City

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has told Al-Nassr chiefs to make Kevin De Bruyne an offer he cannot refuse.Ronaldo is a huge fan of Manchester City hero KDB, who will be out of contract at the end of the season.Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Al-Nassr chiefs to sign Manchester City star Kevin De BruyneCredit: GettyDe Bruyne’s contract with Man City runs out in JuneCredit: GettyAnd the former United superstar has made a personal plea to his bosses to try and tempt De Bruyne, 33, to join him in Saudi Arabia.Icon Ronaldo wants them to go all out for the Belgian midfielder — stressing what a coup his capture would be for the Saudi league.De Bruyne’s representatives were discreetly sounded out last year.The playmaker is perfectly happy in Manchester and has never pushed to jump on the mega-money bandwagon.Read More on FootballYet the City star also admitted the incredible figures being mentioned could make it very difficult to turn down an official approach.De Bruyne is currently out injured but relaxed Etihad bosses plan to sit down to discuss his future when the timing is right.Yet they are aware there is no chance of coming close to the incredible £1million-a-week — plus £50MILLION signing-on fee — Al-Nassr are reportedly happy to pay him.The Belgium international has enjoyed a glittering nine-year stint at City.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSDe Bruyne has amassed a staggering total of 103 goals and 171 assists in 388 appearances with the Citizens.Since his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2015, the midfield maestro has consistently been among the Citizens’ top performers.I know Cristiano Ronaldo but I didn’t know man behind the athlete, says Francis Ngannou about ‘motivator’ Man Utd iconThe Belgian has won a whopping six Premier League titles, two FA Cup trophies, five League Cups and of course the 2023 Champions League.The attacking midfielder was also among Pep Guardiola’s standout performers in the 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign.Transfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millionsFORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…What was the case about?Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.Is that it?No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.Okay, so what does the ruling mean?Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.Is everybody agreed about this?Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.Read SunSport’s full Q&A with football on the brink of the biggest shake-up in 30 years… More

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      Man City player ratings: Mateo Kovacic steps up to fill Rodri-shaped void as Jack Grealish kept quiet by Fulham defence

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      MANCHESTER CITY kept ground on Liverpool with the help of a double from Mateo Kovacic. Former Manchester United man Andreas Pereira opened the scoring at the Etihad. Manchester City celebrate victory over FulhamCredit: EPABut Kovacic’s double and a late Jeremy Doku goal separated the sides despite Rodrigo Muniz’s consolation. Here is how Martin Blackburn rated City’s stars. EDERSON – 8 No chance with the goals but two brilliant saves to deny Traore on one on ones and they proved vital as City hung on for a win. RICO LEWIS – 7 Reverted back to full-back – out-muscled by Traore on one occasion but baled out by his keeper. Looked more the part when he pushed into midfield READ MORE IN footballMANUEL AKANJI – 6 Lost track of Perreira as Fulham took a shock lead. Must have had an injury as he was hooked on the hour and replaced by Walker. Manuel Akanji lost track of Perreira as Fulham took a shock leadCredit: ReutersRUBEN DIAS – 6 Superb block to deny Jiminez as the visitors searched for equaliser. Busier afternoon than he expected as Fulham posed a real threat.  JOSKO GVARDIOL – 7 Low shot saved by Leno in the first half but proved his worth at the other end with brilliant tackles to deny Traore then Jiminez. MATEO KOVACIC – 9 Pep needs people to step forward after Rodri’s injury and the Croatian did it here. Pulled City level via a deflection then fired home a beauty to put them in front.  Most read in FootballMateo Kovacic scored a double for CityCredit: ReutersKovacic was instrumental in ensuring Man City won on Saturday afternoonILKAY GUNDOGAN – 6 Fluffed a couple of first half chances that could have changed the game. Ex-skipper did supply the corner to get his team back in it. BERNARDO SILVA – 6 Off colour in the first half – better after the break and his super lay off for Kovacic’s second goal while he could have had one himself.  PHIL FODEN – 6 First Prem start of a season that has yet to catch fire. Had a hand in the second goal then blazed a shot over the angle but subbed late on. Jack Grealish had a quiet afternoonCredit: ReutersFulham had a significant share of the match and could have stolen a pointJACK GREALISH – 5 Quiet first half apart form a nice cross for Bernardo who missed with his header.  Brighter after the break but could have no complaints at being replaced by Doku on the hour. ERLING HAALAND – 6 Failed to make the most of a series of first half chances – his blistering start to the season Unselfish lay off for Bernardo but the Portuguese could not make the most of it. SubsDOKU for Grealish 61 – What a sensational strike to put City two clear  7WALKER for Akanji 61 – Outpaced for once – by Traore – but rescued by Ederson. 5STONES for Foden 78 – Brought on to tighten things up with the game in the balance 6NUNES for Gundogan -89 – Too late to make much impact. 5Doku helped seal the winCredit: PA More

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      Man City ask for Premier League season to be DELAYED as Pep Guardiola escalates fixture pile-up row

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      MANCHESTER CITY are on collision course with the Premier League again — after the champs’ plea for a DELAYED start to next season was rejected.City wanted their first two games of the 2025-26 season postponed to help them recover from playing in Fifa’s expanded four-week summer Club World Cup in America.Pep Guardiola weighed on Manchester City’s fixture pile-up row with the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyPlayers’ unions are worried about the Club World Cup causing burnoutCredit: ReutersBut City boss Pep Guardiola declared: “In the end, the Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much!”The final of the revamped 32-team tournament, which also features Chelsea, takes place on July 13 — less than a month before the start of the next Prem season.Asked if he felt stars would be exhausted after the tournament, Guardiola added: “It’s going to happen for sure. It depends if we’re in the last stages of the FA Cup.“I don’t know if we will play more games than our Treble year before the States.”Read More on FootballRelations between City and Prem chiefs are already strained after the club were charged with 115 breaches of the League’s financial rules. City deny all the charges.Guardiola added: “For the first and second games, the club asked the Premier League to postpone them one, two or three weeks.“That would be one or two more weeks of holiday after the Club World Cup. But it’s absolutely not allowed.“The Premier League say ‘yes’ to us? Absolutely not.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Prem have yet to comment but sources indicated there were only initial, informal discussions — and no formal request from City.Prem boss Richard Masters is aware of the challenges domestic leagues will face as a result of Fifa’s expanded calendar.Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Phil Foden situation after fans’ conspiracy theory over England star’s absence Players’ unions, worried about burnout, have taken legal action against Fifa over the Club World Cup.And City’s crocked ace Rodri warned players were ready to strike to protect their welfare.Fifa chief Gianni Infantino insists the tournament will go ahead as planned.Guardiola’s City contract is up next summer, so he may not be around to see it — but he believes it will only become clear then how tired players are.He said: “They won’t postpone these games, so that will be the moment of, ‘Oh, what do we do?’“I don’t have an answer right now. We will see how the players are, the schedule, then we are going to decide.” More

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      CBS Sports pundit Peter Schmeichel not given Man City clash to cover after controversial rant about former club

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      PETER SCHMEICHEL covered Celtic instead of Manchester City – following a controversial rant about his old club’s support.CBS Sports sent the former keeper to see Borussia Dortmund thump the Scottish champions 7-1 in Germany – rather than watch City triumph 4-0 at Slovan Bratislava.Peter Schmeichel this time gave his views on CelticCredit: GettyThe Dane’s unexpected destination for Tuesday’s Champions League action follows a blistering verdict on a “dead” Etihad atmosphere in the 0-0 draw against Inter Milan last month.It did give him the chance to see son Kasper in goal for Celtic – but the 60-year-old might have flinched as Dortmund were 5-1 up by half-time.Schmeichel Senior retired as a player in 2003 after a single season with City, following a career dominated by eight years at Manchester United.So it was perhaps no wonder his outburst ruffled feathers – although no specific reason has been given for him missing out on the Bratislava feast. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSchmeichel responded to the September 18 Etihad stalemate in front of 50,922 spectators by telling CBS: “I love good football and I like excitement from the crowd but it was dead – the Etihad today was absolutely dead.”He added: “The only people we could hear were the Inter supporters, who were quite good, but there was no atmosphere in the Etihad.”Normally, you’d think ‘well big European night’, but it didn’t happen for them.”Schmeichel wasn’t much more impressed with City themselves that night.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe ex-Aston Villa stopper said: “I don’t think it was a good draw.”I thought it was a really, really boring game and I’m sorry to say that.Watch awkward moment for Micah Richards as Jamie Carragher tells Peter Schmeichel ‘secret role’ he had in son’s career”I thought Inter did really well in stopping Man City.”Some fans thought Schmeichel was too harsh, especially as many regular followers struggle to afford tickets amid a wider cost of living crisis.And this time he saw Celtic become the first British team to let in five goals before the break in a European match since 1997-98.That was when Cwmbran Town exited the Cup Winners’ Cup 12-2 on aggregate against Progresul Bucharest. More

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      Man City legend left family £1.6MILLION in his will following his death after glittering career

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      MAN City great Francis Lee left £1.6million in his will — including a treasure trove of medals.The football star, who died last October aged 79, passed most of his possessions to wife Gillian.Man City great Francis Lee left £1.6million in his willCredit: PAThe football star died last October aged 79Credit: AlamyLee passed most of his possessions to wife GillianCredit: GettyPots of £100,000 were handed to brother Trevor, sister-in-law Pamela and daughter-in-law Sonia.Eldest son Gary, from his first marriage, was to get £250,000, but died last year. The rest of his £1,648,000 estate is in a trust fund for his wife and three surviving kids.“Franny” joined City from Bolton in 1967, scoring 148 goals in 330 games, and winning the First Division, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.READ MORE IN SPORTSHe then won the First Division for a second time with Derby in 1975.Franny, who played 27 times for England, including at the 1970 World Cup and scored ten goals, later launched a successful toilet roll manufacturing firm and a horse racing stable.His final years were spent battling cancer at his £500,000 home in sleepy Wilmslow, Cheshire.England legend Alan Shearer led tributes after his death, posting: “RIP legend”.Most read in Football’Franny’ joined City in 1967, scoring 148 goals in 330 gamesCredit: Getty More

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      I shared a year with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd – he trained like an ANIMAL and always tried to be the best

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Cristiano Ronaldo worked hard to be the best since a young age as he trained “like an animal”.That is according to fellow United great Dimitar Berbatov who joined the club from Tottenham in 2008, one year before Ronaldo, 39, left Old Trafford for Real Madrid.Cristiano Ronaldo trained ‘like an animal’ at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press AssociationMan Utd legend Dimitar Berbatov spent a year with RonaldoCredit: Getty – ContributorBerbatov was amazed by Ronaldo’s dedication in training at Man UtdCredit: GettyBut during their brief spell together, Berbatov, 43, quickly knew the then-23-year-old was destined for greatness as he never missed a training session and showed incredible dedication.The Portugal captain went on to win a whopping five Ballons d’Or as well as the 2008-09 Premier League title with the Bulgaria legend before his departure to Real.Berbatov told The Telegraph: “We shared a year together, he was starting to grow by leaps and bounds. “He trained like an animal, he tried his best to be the best. It was nice to see that dedication up close. Read More on Man Utd”I don’t remember him missing a single training session.”Berbatov almost never played with Ronaldo as Manchester City came close to hijacking his summer deadline day move to rivals United.Tottenham accepted an offer from City just hours before the striker finalised his move to the Red Devils.But the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star ordered his agent to snub Man City and push for a deal with United with an X-rated statement.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBerbatov added: “They wanted to sign me on the last day of the market.”I told my agent: ‘F*** off, we’re going to United’. Because of the history, the prestige, the players, the manager, the shirt.Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag steals famous Cristiano Ronaldo quote but refuses to name him as furious spat rages on”I never had any doubt that Old Trafford was the right decision.” More