Premier League: We’ve got a date for City hearing... but won’t tell you it!
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?’
‘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.’
Masters also admitted Premier League clubs have yet to agree on how a proposed new £123milliona-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.’