Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has emphasized the importance of resolving the case surrounding Manchester City’s alleged breaches of financial rules for the sake of the league. An independent disciplinary commission will hear the case against City, who deny all charges. Masters believes it is time for the case to be resolved, as it has been ongoing for several years. While he could not confirm the specific date of the hearing, it is expected to start next month with the result known early next year.
Masters also addressed a separate legal case where City is taking action against the Premier League over tightened rules on ‘fair’ sponsorship deals. However, he was unable to comment on the case as it is confidential. The result of that case is expected in the coming weeks.
In light of the difficulties faced by Premier League clubs with the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), a new financial system that operates like a spending cap is being trialed. Clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Leicester have faced breaches of the PSR, resulting in points deductions and charges. The aim of the regulatory moves is to create a system that engenders confidence and compliance, moving away from normalizing asterisks against league tables or long-running regulatory cases.
Premier League clubs have also been divided over funding the EFL, with the threat of a new football regulator looming. Masters acknowledges the challenges of finding consensus for decisions but does not believe the Premier League is more divided than ever. He remains optimistic that the issues and cases will be resolved.
Masters stated that he does not foresee Premier League games being played abroad, despite other leagues exploring the possibility. Spain’s La Liga has expressed interest in staging games in the United States in the future. Masters cited uncertainty around regulatory changes at FIFA and emphasized that there are no plans to play matches abroad.
With the new season approaching, concerns over player fatigue have resurfaced. Masters wants domestic football’s interests to be considered in any changes to the international match calendar. The Premier League, along with other top European leagues and global players’ union Fifpro, has launched legal action against FIFA over its “abuse of dominance” in the game. Masters highlighted the lack of consultation with leagues and players’ unions on big issues and expressed the desire for consultation on the future of the international match calendar.
Regarding the Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) system, there are planned changes for the 2024-25 Premier League season. These changes include the introduction of semi-automated offsides. While the Premier League voted to keep VAR, Masters acknowledged that everyone wants to improve it. Issues such as the length of delays and the supporter experience in the stadium need to be resolved. The Premier League’s hands are somewhat tied by the rules set by global governing bodies on how the technology is operated. However, they are working with IFAB and FIFA to expand the experience for supporters in the stadium.