Delay over Manchester City case creates ‘uncertainty’, says Premier League chief

LONDON – English Premier League chief executive Richard Masters admits the legal cases facing Manchester City and other top-flight teams have created “uncertainty and frustration” ahead of the new season.

An independent commission is set to rule on the 115 charges brought against Premier League champions City for alleged financial breaches.

There are also cases to be resolved involving Leicester City and Everton, related to alleged breaches of the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Asked if the unresolved financial issues would cast a shadow over the 2024-25 season, Masters told Sky Sports: “It does matter, and I understand it creates uncertainty and some frustration but there is no happy alternative to enforcing the rules, which everyone has agreed at the beginning of each season.

“They have looked each other in the eye and shaken each other’s hand and said ‘We will abide by these rules’. So the Premier League has to enforce rules.

“Whatever difficulty or frustration that creates is part of maintaining and protecting the Premier League’s competition, its core values, competitive competition. And that’s really my role, and that’s what I want to continue doing.”

City, who are bidding for an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title, have won the top-flight crown twice since the charges – which they vehemently deny – were levelled in February 2023.

If found guilty, the team, in the worst-case scenario, could face a points deduction or even be relegated.

Reports have suggested the hearing into City’s case could start in September, with the outcome known early in 2025, but Masters refused to be drawn on a timescale.

“I think it does need to be resolved,” he said. “It’s been going on for a number of years and I think it’s self-evident that the case needs to be heard and answered.

“But it’s not in our hands. It’s in the hands of an independent panel. They are in charge of the timing and the running of the process, and we must let them get on with it.”

City’s alleged breaches relate to rules requiring the reporting of accurate financial information and the submission of details of manager and player pay information within the relevant contracts.

They also refer to a club’s responsibility as a Premier League member to adhere to Uefa’s financial regulations and to the league’s own profit and sustainability regulations.

City are alleged to have breached rules requiring them to cooperate and assist with the Premier League’s investigation into those breaches, which the league said began in December 2018.

Everton and Nottingham Forest were docked points for PSR breaches last season, and those rules remain in force for the campaign ahead, requiring clubs to limit losses to a maximum of £105 million (S$177.4 million) over three seasons.

In other developments, the Premier League hopes to reduce frustration with the video assistant referee (VAR) system with the launch of a social media account that will provide near real-time updates and explanations regarding officiating decisions for each match.

“In the absence of live VAR audio being broadcast, as it is not permitted in football, the Premier League match centre will be able to relay social media near-live information from the VAR hub during a game,” the league said.

In addition to posting about refereeing decisions, the X account, @PLMatchCentre, will also provide insights directly from the VAR hub and refereeing experts, with the aim of bringing transparency.

Experts from Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the league’s officiating body, will also clarify the laws of the game and provide additional information on the VAR decision-making processes when necessary. AFP, REUTERS