Premier League CEO Richard Masters announced on Tuesday that a date has been set for the hearing into the alleged financial rule breaches by Manchester City. The club was charged in February with over 100 alleged breaches of finance rules since its acquisition by the Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group, leading to a referral to an independent commission for a hearing.
Masters, speaking before the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee, stated, “There is a date set for that proceeding. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you when that is, but it is progressing.”
In response to the charges announced in February, Manchester City expressed their welcome for “the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position.”
It was emphasized by Masters that the charges against Manchester City differ from those brought against Everton and Nottingham Forest on Monday. While Everton and Forest face potential points deductions, the charges against Manchester City are of a different volume and character, and they will be heard in a distinct environment.
Masters clarified, “If any club, the current champions or otherwise, had been found in breach of the spending rules, they would be in exactly the same position as Everton or Nottingham Forest.” Manchester City, eyeing a fourth consecutive Premier League title this season, awaits the outcome of the impending hearing.
