Premier League CEO Richard Masters issues apology amid Man City 115 charges update

Premier League CEO Richard Masters was in Chicago overnight at the Premier League Summer Series and was quizzed about the ongoing Manchester City saga

Premier League CEO Richard Masters(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has apologised after being quizzed about how long it will take to discover Manchester City's fate regarding their alleged breaching of financial rules.

In February 2023, City were charged with 115 counts of historical rule breaches between 2009 and 2018. The majority of these charges related to the manner in which members of the playing team and backroom staff were paid.

City immediately denied the allegations and insisted they had 'irrefutable evidence' to prove their innocence. However, this evidence was not heard until September 2024 in a hearing that lasted two months.

The hope was that now the hearing had been held, the verdict would be released promptly. And yet, nearly eight months on, we are yet to discover the ruling from the independent panel.

At the Premier League Summer Series in the US which sees Manchester United, West Ham, Everton and Bournemouth compete in a pre-season tournament, Masters appeared on broadcaster NBC Sports and was asked for an update on the City case. However, the CEO refused to give away any details.

"You can ask, but our rules are very clear," Masters explained. "It’s a confidential process so I really can’t give any information out on timing or anything like that.

"There is nothing more I can add, so I am sorry about that." At this stage, the saga over the whole case is becoming frustrating for everyone holding interest in the end result.

Currently, City are having to wait to discover their fate and know that even if they are acquitted, they are unlikely to be at the end of a lengthy and arduous process. On Wednesday, an update circulated that the new date for discovering the verdict was in October, most likely during the international break.

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