Manchester City financial case delay ‘understandably frustrating’, says Premier League chief

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says he understands the frustration surrounding the continuing delay in reaching a verdict on Manchester City’s financial case, but insists the process must be allowed to continue without public updates.

Manchester City are still waiting for the outcome of proceedings involving 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. The club was charged in February 2023 and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The case has taken longer than expected, with uncertainty continuing to surround when a decision might be announced. Masters said the Premier League was unable to provide further information while the proceedings remained confidential.

“Our rules are very clear about that I have to keep everything confidential until we’re ready to hand down a decision and be clear about it,” Masters told Sky News. “I can’t give any update on timing or what’s happening.

“There’s only one available route through this, which is to allow the process to take its course.

“It has taken longer than expected, and I do understand the frustrations.”

Masters’ comments come as City prepare to begin a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Guardiola left at the end of last season after 10 years in charge, a period in which he led the club to six Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup, as well as a number of other trophies.

The uncertainty over the financial case remains as Manchester City move forward under former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. Their Premier League campaign begins at home against Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Premier League has not indicated when the verdict will be delivered. Masters said the league’s rules prevented him from discussing either the timetable or the stage the proceedings had reached.

That leaves City, who continue to deny the allegations, waiting for a conclusion to a case that has remained over the club since the charges were announced in February 2023. The absence of a decision means the outcome is still unknown as the club enters its next chapter following Guardiola’s long spell in charge.

For the Premier League, Masters made clear that the available course was to let the established process run its course. He also acknowledged that the extended wait had increased frustration among those following the case.

The proceedings concern 115 alleged breaches of the competition’s financial regulations. No verdict has yet been announced, and the Premier League chief executive said he could not provide an indication of when one might be expected.

City’s immediate focus is their opening league fixture against Bournemouth on Sunday, but the unresolved case continues to form a backdrop to the club’s change in management and the start of the new campaign.