Premier League CEO Masters argues for patience in the Manchester City case

Premier League director Richard Masters defended the judicial process of the League in the midst of criticism of the slow pace of the disciplinary case of Manchester City on Wednesday with 115 charges of alleged financial domination.

Speaking during a Premier League season lasting event in Liverpool, Masters said that once the charges have been raised, the case is transferred to an independent panel that works autonomously.

«It is essentially an independent judiciary,» Masters said Sky Sports. «They are in charge of the process and the timings of it. They hear the matter, they determine the outcome and we have no influence on it or the timing.»

Masters abstained from speculating when a decision could be achieved, but recognized the frustration of long legal processes.

«My frustration is really not relevant. I just have to wait. Legal processes rarely take less time than you expected. But we have to be patient,» he said.

Read also | FIFA World Cup winner Romero succeeds son Heung-Min as Tottenham Captain

Masters also focused on speculation about organizing Premier League matches abroad, after the plan of La Liga received approval from the Spanish football federation (RFEF) for a match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami on Monday.

He said that the controversial «game 39» concept of an extra competitive competition that was organized outside of Great Britain remained off the table.

«I think (La Liga) Match that has been discussed, there is still a long way to go about whether that will actually happen,» Masters said.

«It has not changed our opinion about competitions abroad. We have already viewed the 39th game in the midst of a lot of controversy … Our goal was at the time to grow the Premier League around the world. We were able to do that in different ways,» he said.

Masters also responded to concern about the competitiveness of newly promoted clubs, after all three teams relegated last season – Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton – were just on the agenda.

The same happened in the 2023-24 campaign when Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United returned to the second layer after just one season.

Masters pointed to success stories such as Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham, who were promoted for the 2022-23 season and «Three years later perform extremely well in the Premier League».

Read also | Manchester United in ‘No Man’s Land’, Club Managers Back -Back -Back has to

«It will never be easy … The Premier League will be more competitive. The championship is a fantastic division. We want it to be successful. We want an influx of different clubs to come in and out. So it’s something we have to keep an eye on.»

Masters also confirmed that the newly established independent football regulator is expected to start activities in October or November.

«We are the first country, great football nation to be regulated in this way,» he said. “The Premier League works in a global environment. So of course we have some worries, but the most important thing is that I think the regulator does not start from the position that football is somehow broken in this country …

«All the most important indicators are really positive for the entire pyramid, for the English teams, men and ladies. So I think there is a lot to be really proud of and the regulator should really intervene where absolutely necessary.»

The new Premier League season starts on Friday when title defender Liverpool organizes Bournemouth.