Premier League meeting over Man City verdict delayed after submissions from rival clubs

Twenty-club gathering to be postponed by a matter of days as competition tries to find a solution following City’s arbitration judgment

An emergency Premier League meeting to discuss the outcome of Manchester City’s associated-party arbitration is being delayed by days as the competition is still scrutinising solutions. 
In the week since the tribunal findings were published, several of the other 19 clubs have shared extensive levels of detail around their shareholder loan agreements with the competition.
Inevitably, there is significant variation in terms attached to these deals, which has played some part in complicating preparations to thrash out a new arrangement.
The league, meanwhile, is still in the process of due diligence and must speak to its financial and legal advisory groups before it can consult with clubs. Telegraph Sport understands Thursday’s emergency meeting is likely to be delayed by a matter of days, but not weeks.
City tabled at least 20 different allegations in its landmark arbitration claim that the league’s associated-party transaction (APT) rules were “discriminatory”.
The most significant outcome as far as City’s rivals are concerned is the subsequent ruling that loans from club shareholders should face fair market tests within the APT rules.
Some clubs, such as Arsenal – who previously borrowed more than £200 million – are already scrutinised under Uefa rules. However, other heavy owner borrowers – such as Everton – could be more significantly affected by the integration of arrangements in the league’s APT rules.
Richard Masters, the Premier League chief executive, wrote to clubs on Friday saying they would be taking “the necessary time to develop our proposals and the associated draft rule amendments”.
The clubs had already been pencilled in to meet on Thursday to discuss three potential amendments to the APT rules, but it was never the plan to vote on any law change that day. There will be further meetings of the league financial control group and its legal advisory group, before a final vote can be scheduled.
Immediately after the arbitration ruling was shared by clubs, the league said the rules “can quickly and effectively be remedied by the league and clubs”.
City, however, warned against a “knee-jerk reaction” that “would be likely to lead to further legal proceedings with further legal costs”.