The Premier League’s chief executive has urged patience as the high-profile legal case involving Manchester City continues into a second season without resolution.

City was charged in February 2023 with over 100 alleged financial rule breaches, including accusations of providing false information about income sources. The case was heard by an independent commission from September to December last year, but no verdict has been delivered.

Potential sanctions range from fines to expulsion from the league. Manchester City has consistently denied all allegations.

Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of the 2025-26 Premier League season, which kicks off Friday, CEO Richard Masters emphasized the league has no influence over the case timeline.

“It’s an independent judiciary,” Masters said. “Once charges are presented, the independent panel controls the process and its timing. They hear the case and decide the outcome — we have no say in that.”

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Masters admitted the drawn-out process is frustrating but insisted that “legal processes rarely take less time than anticipated” and stressed the need for patience.

On a separate topic, Masters addressed whether the Premier League might follow Spain’s example of staging official matches abroad. He noted that global reach had been achieved through other avenues, such as international broadcasting deals, digital expansion, and pre-season tours, making the original concept of an overseas “39th game” less necessary.

Source: Agency