Simon Leaf, Partner and Head of the Sports Group, has recently been interviewed in the media about the latest developments in the world of football business.
Simon was interviewed by The Daily Telegraph after Manchester City achieved a significant legal victory in its ongoing dispute with the Premier League, as an independent tribunal ruled that the financial rules concerning associated party transactions (APT) from 2021 to 2024 are void and unenforceable. This decision could pave the way for other clubs to challenge the APT system, which was initially introduced to prevent inflated sponsorship deals linked to club ownership.
Simon commented that the victory represented "a resounding win for City on this particular question".
He highlighted that the central issue moving forward will be the treatment of shareholder loans and their potential retrospective application, which will be crucial in the ongoing legal discussions.
Speaking to The Times on football's new regulatory landscape, Simon commented on the potential impact of the regulator on financial regulations and the operational dynamics of football clubs: "The intentions behind the regulator appear to be good, but the reality is that it may not have the day-to-day oversight or indeed resources to succeed in what it has set out to achieve."
In an interview with Sky News Sports correspondent Rob Harris and several other football finance experts at the Financial Times' Business of Football Summit 2025, Simon discussed Man City's ongoing legal case. With Man City awaiting the verdict on 115 charges, he discussed what could happen next and what any punishment could involve.
Watch the recording here.
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