Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed a hearing date has been set for Manchester City’s unprecedented 115 alleged rule breaches — but refused to say when it will take place.
Mail Sport revealed in November that the Premier League and City had agreed to begin the most significant disciplinary case in the competition’s history in the autumn of 2024, a timeline which fits with Masters’ disclosure.
City were charged by the League with an extraordinary 115 alleged breaches of financial regulations in February last year, following a five-year investigation which began in 2018.
The Premier League have previously accused City of using delaying tactics to stall their investigation, but during his appearance before MPs at a Culture, Media and Sport select committee hearing yesterday, Masters confirmed they had agreed on a hearing date.
Masters was responding to a question from committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, who in reference to Everton’s second charge of breaching spending rules, asked: ‘Do you understand fans’ frustration that Manchester City is taking so long?’
The Premier League’s chief executive Richard Masters has revealed that a date has been set for Man City’s 115 alleged financial rule break charges hearing
Masters was quizzed by MPs on Tuesday in relation to a variety of issues affecting football
Pep Guardiola’s side deny any wrongdoing and previously insisted that they have ‘irrefutable evidence’ to back their case
‘Yes, but they are very different charges,’ Masters replied.
‘The volume and character of the charges laid against Manchester City are being held in a completely different environment.
‘I can’t give you any details beyond saying a date has been set for that proceeding. I can’t say when that is, but that is progressing.’
Everton have complained that the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) are deficient as they claim they have been punished twice for the same alleged offence, but Masters launched a strong defence of the top flight’s rulebook.
‘We think process was followed to the letter,’ he said. ‘Everton had the absolute right to appeal.
‘Everton are a very important member, but we also have to think about the other 19 clubs and their fan bases. We take our rulebook very seriously.’
The charges City are faced with include claims over financial reporting and a lack of co-operation with a Premier League investigation which was opened in 2018
Everton and Nottingham Forest were hit with Premier League charges on Monday for breaking spending rules, but Masters insisted ‘the volume and character’ of City’s charges are different
Masters also admitted Premier League clubs have yet to agree on how a proposed new £123million-a-year funding package for the lower divisions will be paid for.
He then risked inflaming Everton and Nottingham Forest fans further by appearing to describe them as small clubs — though he was answering a direct question from an MP — as well as revealing that a decision on the proposed takeover at Goodison Park by 777 Partners is still weeks away.
‘Some (approvals) take weeks, some, if we have not had satisfactory answers, are going to take longer,’ he said. ‘It is a difficult question to answer — hopefully weeks.’