Pep Guardiola may now have another group of clubs he refers to as the ‘hateful eight,’ following the latest revelations from Manchester City’s ongoing legal conflict with the Premier League.
In 2020, when UEFA temporarily banned City from the Champions League, Guardiola was furious with the clubs that petitioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an attempt to influence the outcome of City’s appeal…Continue Reading
During a press conference, Guardiola publicly named the nine clubs, which he labeled the ‘hateful eight’ in frustration. This issue has resurfaced in his comments several times since then.
Now, after the hearing on the Associated Party Transaction rules—implemented in 2021 after Newcastle United’s takeover and tightened further in 2023—the list of clubs involved has emerged.
Interestingly, eight clubs have been identified as supporting the Premier League’s case against City.
The report states that league relied upon: “the evidence given by a number of clubs in these proceedings, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and West Ham as well as letters written in support of the APT Rules for the purpose of this arbitration from Brentford, Bournemouth, Fulham, and Wolverhampton Wanderers who are smaller clubs in the PL.”
Nevertheless, City achieved victories on several important issues, including the ruling that the introduction and modification of Associated Party Transactions (APTs) were illegal.
This decision has created significant complications for the Premier League regarding how to move forward, as City and other clubs may now pursue compensation for any losses they experienced due to these unjustified restrictions.
