10/09/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | SEPT 10, 2025

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Ű BY MIGUEL DELANEY

City reach settlement with Premier League

MANCHESTER CITY and the Premier League have reached a settlement over Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules, which govern clubs’ com mercial deals and restrict their ability to sign spon sorship deals with companies linked to their owner ship. The two parties emphasised that City have now accepted that the current APT Rules are “valid and binding.” Nuno first to go Forest sack head coach after rift with Greek owner H EAD COACH Nuno Espirito Santo (above) was sacked by Nottingham Forest early yesterday, becoming the first English Premier League manager this season to lose his job.

and companies linked to the club’s owners are done at fair market value. City argued the rules breached competition law. This second dispute over APT rules is not related to the major financial case with City, which concerns more than 100 charges. A ruling in that case is still to emerge, with no conclusion expected until at least next month. – The Independent

The rules were amended in November in response to that tribunal ruling after a vote was passed among Premier League clubs, with City – who voted against the new regulations – then writ ing to the League asking for further arbitration over the changes. The APT rules were introduced in December 2021 to maintain competitive balance within the League, ensuring that deals struck between clubs

The settlement ends a legal challenge between League and club after the Citizens launched a third case against the League in February. An initial battle over APT rulings last October ended with City claiming victory, with an arbitration panel judging some aspects of the existing system to be unlawful, particularly significantly ruling that shareholder loans to their own clubs should be included within the regulations.

Clarke delighted after tough Belarus win

Ű BY RONNIE ESPLIN

trying to do what we wanted to do. “They made it difficult for us and were always a threat on the counter because of the pace up front, so it was just to stay patient and managed to get that second goal. “It is a good start, but it is only a start. Four points will never qualify anybody for anything “There are two big games next month, but the effort from the players, the help I have had from my staff has been great. “It is nice to start (with) I can go home with a smile on my face, but I am already thinking about next month.” Adams, who notched for the first time since a hattrick against Liechtenstein in June, told BBC Scotland that patience was key under the unusual circumstances. The Torino striker said: “You come to these sort of places, no fans, difficult pitch, hard-to-break-down team. “We had to be patient. In the end it paid off. All round a really good camp for us all. “We missed them (Scotland fans) a lot tonight. That was for them really. Obviously for the travelling supporters that couldn’t come, we had to put on a show and get the three points, and we certainly did that.” Adams is looking forward to a packed Hampden Park next month when Greece are the first visitors. He said: “We know when we’re back at Hampden with the

draw against Denmark on Friday while the Danes’ 3-0 win in Greece also takes them on to four points but with a slightly better goal difference. “It was a tough night. I expected the reaction that Belarus gave (after 5 1 defeat by Greece),” Clarke told BBC Scotland . “They lost quite heavily in the first game, so the immediate reaction to that is going to be more defensively solid, with a lot of big guys and filled the middle of the park.

STEVE CLARKE left the ZTE Arena with a smile on his face following Scotland’s solid 2-0 win over Belarus which cemented 2026 World Cup hopes. In a Group C qualifier played behind closed doors in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary because of Uefa sanctions, striker Che Adams scored from close range two minutes before the break before defender Zakhar Volkov put

“We had to be patient, it was nice to get the goal just before halftime because it gives you that extra bit of security. We just kept prodding and

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said to be among the candidates along with Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola. Cracks between the owner and head coach began to show in May last season, when Marinakis appeared to confront Nuno on the pitch following a 2-2 draw against Leicester at the City Ground. Forest later said the owner was frustrated that striker Taiwo Awoniyi had continued to play following an 88th-minute injury but added there was “no confrontation” and to suggest otherwise was “fake news”. Nuno, who also managed Tottenham in 2021, was publicly critical of Forest’s transfer activity since the end of last season, which reportedly did not go down well with Marinakis. Forest brought in 13 players as new sporting director Edu Gaspar took a more hands-on role in signings, but they let several others go, including Anthony Elanga, Danilo and Wayne Hennessey, leaving Nuno to complain his side had become “unbalanced”. “I always had a very good relationship with the owner. Last season we were very close and spoke on a daily basis. This season it is not so well,” Nuno said last month of his dealings with Marinakis. “Our relationship has changed and we are not as close. Everybody at the club should be together but this is not the reality.” Nuno later said he had spoken to Marinakis on the phone since and the two would meet during the international break to iron out their differences. Sky Sports News reported that the meeting never materialised and Marinakis decided instead it was better to replace Nuno. Edu and chief football officer Ross Wilson will oversee the appointment of a new head coach. Forest’s next match is away to third-placed Arsenal on Saturday (7.30pm Malaysian time). – AFP

“The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era,” said a club statement released just after midnight. The Portuguese had been in charge for 21 months at the City Ground, but two weeks ago said his relationship with the club’s owner, the Greek billionaire Evangelos Marinakis, had deteriorated. “Nottingham Forest Football Club confirms that, following recent circumstances, Nuno Espirito Santo has today been relieved of his duties as head coach,” the club said. The 51-year-old took charge in December 2023 after Steve Cooper was sacked and went on to save the club from relegation. Last season the club finished seventh in the Premier League, their highest since 1994/95. That secured a first European berth in 30 years, with a Europa League place handed to Forest instead of their initial Conference League spot, after Crystal Palace’s demotion for breaching Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules. “The club thanks Nuno for his contribution during a very successful era at the City Ground, in particular his role in the 2024/25 season, which will forever be remembered fondly in the history of the club,” said the statement “As someone who played a pivotal role in our success last season, he will always hold a special place in our journey.” Forest sit 10th in the Premier League on four points after three games, but were soundly beaten 3 0 by struggling West Ham in Nuno’s last match in charge. British media reported that talks had begun to appoint a successor quickly, with former

crowd behind us, we can beat anyone on the day. Everyone’s looking

through his own goal in the 65th minute which gave the Scots four points from six. Scotland also go into the double header against Greece and Belarus next month with two clean sheets following the goalless

forward to the next camp now.” – The Independent

Belarus’ Vadim Pigas (left) in action with Scotland’s Ryan Christie yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Kane pays tribute to former Spurs chairman Levy

Ű BY JONATHAN VEAL

chapter they’re trying to create now.” Kane has been one of many victims of an outspoken Michael Owen, who claimed during an interview with Rio Ferdinand that Kane was “nuts” for joining Bayern two years ago when he had the Premier League goalscoring record in view. But the England captain took a diplomatic view, insisting his move to Germany was also about playing at the highest level. “I heard it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Kane said. “I know he was insinuating I went just for the trophy but it was to be at the highest level for as long as possible and I’m really happy in that sense of playing big games, title runs, big Champions League matches, Club World Cup quarterfinal. “The decision was best for me and I’m really happy that I made that decision and very happy at Bayern Munich now.” – The Independent

The 32-year-old eventually got a move to Bayern Munich in 2023 and is surprised that Levy’s time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is over. “Obviously, it’s a bit of a surprise, if I’m honest,” he said. “I didn’t expect it, didn’t see that coming. “Daniel has been a fantastic chairman for Tottenham in the 20 years or so he’s been there. “Considering where the club was and where it is now, I think it’s been a big change, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. “At any stage there’s always going to be change in clubs, and change in the higher positions. “Obviously I don’t know too much about why or what happened. All I can say is I wish Daniel all the best in whatever’s next for him. “We obviously built a relationship over the time we had together. I’m sure at some stage we’ll catch up. “Overall for Tottenham, it’s a new

TOTTENHAM’S record goalscorer Harry Kane paid tribute to “fantastic chairman” Daniel Levy following his recent exit. Levy is understood to have been asked to stand down from his position last week following a review of operations at the north London club, ending a 24-year stint in charge. Kane, who came through the ranks at Spurs, saw first hand how Levy transformed the club off the pitch with the building of their new stadium and unrivalled training ground. But he also witnessed the other side as he was part of a title challenging team which Levy chose not to strengthen in 2018, while also falling foul of one of football’s most notoriously difficult negotiators when trying – and failing – to leave for Manchester City in the summer of 2021.