Premier League Chief on Manchester City Case: ‘We Just Have to Wait’

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has reiterated that the league has no influence over the timing or outcome of Manchester City’s long-running financial fair play (FFP) case.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Masters stressed that the league is bound by its own rules, which prevent officials from commenting on active cases until a decision is formally published.

Manchester City were charged in 2023 with 115 alleged breaches of FFP regulations between 2009 and 2018—a period in which the club secured three Premier League titles. City have consistently maintained their innocence.

The case went before an independent panel in a closed-door hearing that lasted 12 weeks, running from September to December last year. Since then, the football world has been left waiting for a verdict.

Masters said:

“I can’t talk about it… We still await that decision, and I can’t talk about the timing or speculate when that may be.”

When asked if the lengthy process frustrated him, Masters replied:

“My frustration is irrelevant… Legal processes rarely take less time than anticipated. We have to be patient.”

Opinion:
While the Premier League’s silence is in line with legal protocols, the drawn-out nature of the Manchester City case is testing the patience of fans, pundits, and even rival clubs. The allegations—spanning nearly a decade—are among the most serious in the league’s history, and the outcome could set a precedent for how financial rules are enforced in English football.

Yet, the longer the wait, the murkier the waters become. For supporters, this is not just about rules—it’s about trust in the integrity of competition. A swift, transparent resolution would not only settle the debate but also reaffirm the league’s commitment to fairness.

For now, all eyes remain on that looming verdict—whenever it finally arrives.