Premier League clubs 'confident' Man City will lose landmark vote after two switch sides

Premier League clubs are said to be growing in confidence that the division will win Friday's vote on sponsorship rules following a landmark legal challenge from Manchester City.

The vote to update the league's rules on Associated Party Transactions (APTs) needs to be backed by 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs to pass, and City had hoped that they were on course for victory having received backing from Aston Villa.

However, The Times report that Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton, two clubs who had voted against changing the rules a year ago, have now switched their allegiance to the Premier League, weakening the support for City's cause.

The vote is still considered too close to call definitively, and tensions have been running high among clubs in the run up to Friday's decision which City, backed by Villa, have asked to be postponed.

The Premier League champions believe the changes to be "unlawful", having initially brought the legal challenge in June when the Premier League rejected their claim that a new deal between the club and shirt and stadium sponsors Etihad Airways was unlawful.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

The top flight are determined to push ahead with their plans to revamp APT rules in three key areas, despite City writing to clubs and urging them to vote against amendments until they have received a response from a tribunal panel.

Despite seemingly losing the backing of Wolves and Everton, The Times report adds that City are believed to be able to count on the support of Chelsea, Leicester, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest as well as the recently added Villa, taking the total number of clubs seeking to block the changes to six and placing the vote on a knife edge.

Image: Birmingham Mail) Birmingham Mail)

Villa have been particularly vocal on the issue in recent weeks, with club chairman Nassef Sawiris writing to the other 19 clubs to urge caution and call for a delay to the vote.

In statement to the Daily Telegraph, Sawiris said: “In our view, a vote in 90 days on amended terms taking into consideration the tribunal’s findings will have a significantly greater chance of securing the unanimous support of all 20 Premier League clubs."

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