Premier League boss openly talks about Man City’s 115 charges
Manchester City is still waiting to hear the final decision on a case involving 115 charges, and Premier League chief Richard Masters has shared his latest thoughts on the matter.
Back in February 2023, the Premier League accused Man City of 115 financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018. But even after more than three years, the official verdict hasn’t been announced yet.
Throughout this whole time, City has denied doing anything wrong. If they are found guilty, they could face serious punishments, such as being kicked out of the Premier League or losing the titles they won during those years.
The hearing for Man City’s case lasted 12 weeks, from September to December 2024. Because there’s so much information to go through, it’s expected to take months before the final decision is made.
Meanwhile, City has spent £690 million on new players since being charged and has won six major trophies, including two domestic titles and the Champions League.
Even with their ongoing success, there’s still no set date for a verdict or word on any possible punishment. This has frustrated many of their rivals and Premier League chief Richard Masters, who isn’t happy about the delay.
“Our rules are clear – I have to keep everything confidential until we’re ready to make a decision,” Masters told Sky News. “I can’t update on timing or what’s happening. We just have to let the process run its course. It’s taking longer than expected, and I understand the frustration.”
In June, it was revealed that Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United could each claim £100 million in compensation if City is found guilty. But it looks like they’ll have to wait a while to see that money.
Man City isn’t the only club charged with breaking Premier League rules. Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City also faced penalties for breaking Profit and Sustainability rules, including point deductions.
More recently, Chelsea were fined £10 million and given a suspended transfer ban for breaking 74 rules about payments to agents.
Masters explained how City’s case is different from Chelsea’s: “Chelsea’s case was historic. Their new owners came forward with info, and we agreed on a penalty with them. This was overseen by a commission to make sure the punishment was fair.
“But with City, the evidence isn’t complete, and many involved have left the club, so we couldn’t interview them. The alternative was a full contested hearing, but we might not have been able to prove all the charges. The sanction agreement was the best choice for the league, even though some disagree with it. We just have to accept that.”