LONDON (AP) – The Premier League top officials sought patience on Wednesday while the earthquake lawsuit involving Manchester City was dragged into another season.
The city was charged with over 100 in February 2023 by the league Financial violationsincluding providing misleading information about its source of income. The case was heard by an independent committee between September and December last year, but the verdict was not reached.
Punishment can be as extreme as expulsion from a top flight. The city has always denied the charges.
The issue lies in the launch of another Premier League campaign. 2025-26 season starts on Friday. However, competition chief executive Richard Masters reiterated that the league has no control or comment on timing.
In an interview with British broadcaster Sky Sports News, Masters said why the league couldn’t rush the process: “I can’t answer those specific questions.
“So it means it is essentially independent judiciary, so if the alleged accusation is proposed, you go to the independent panel, independently selected, and then you will be responsible for the process and timing.
Masters said, “My frustration is irrelevant.”
“I just have to wait,” he said.
Take the Premier League overseas
The Spanish league recently approved a request for a match between Villarreal and Barcelona to play for the US in December.
Masters said the need has been reduced.
“We’ve looked at the ’39th Game’ way with a lot of controversy. I remember that very clearly,” Masters said of the controversial proposal made in 2008 with an additional round overseas. “Our aim at the time was to grow the Premier League around the world when we think about it.
“And we have been able to do that through a variety of means through our incredible broadcast partnerships, through digital technology, investments in other areas, such as the summer series tournaments we’ve seen in the US up to now. The Premier League is truly a global league.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
