Why are the champions suing? How are the other 19 clubs involved? And when will the hearing take place?

• Manchester City have launched “unprecedented legal action” against the league
• The champions are challenging the league’s rules on related-party transactions
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Manchester City launched “unprecedented legal action” against the Premier League on Tuesday.

City are still awaiting an outcome on 115 charges of alleged breach of financial rules – which are strongly denied by the club – with a hearing now set for November.

According to The Times, the Etihad outfit are seeking to end the league’s rules on related party transactions (APTs), which they claim are illegal.

It was reported in February that City were warning of the threat of legal action against the league’s APT rules, and the media confirmed the club had followed through.

Following the extraordinary development, Mail Sport answers the burning questions.

Why are Manchester City suing the Premier League?

City claim the Premier League’s related party transaction (APT) rules, which prevent clubs from determining the price of transactions with companies linked to their owners, are illegal.

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Those laws say bids must be independently evaluated to arrive at a fair figure, but the City argues it should be able to pay and get whatever it wants. City also want damages from the Premier League for losses they claim they suffered as a result of the rules.

What does this mean for the 115 charges he faces?

Sponsorship deals funded by companies linked to Abu Dhabi and owner Sheik Mansour are central to some of the Premier League’s allegations against City. If the city’s application is successful and the hearing finds that the rules are illegal, their defense against the charges they face will be significantly stronger. The case against City is due to go to trial in November.

How are the other 19 top clubs involved?

Rival Premier League clubs can intervene in the proceedings, submitting evidence either in favor of City or in favor of the League. Some fear that if City can prove the APT rules are illegal, clubs with the richest owners will be able to pump unlimited money into their squads and circumvent Financial Fair Play rules. This could make the Premier League much less competitive.

When will the hearing take place?

City’s case against the Premier League begins on Monday and the hearing is expected to last two weeks, with a verdict to follow. The 115 charges against City are expected to be heard in November, with the case lasting six weeks.