Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, defended the league trial on Wednesday, in the middle of criticism at a slow pace of the Manchester City disciplinary case, including 115 charges of alleged financial rule.
The Masters explained at the Opening of the Premier League in Liverpool that once the fees are transferred, this matter is handed over to an independent panel that works completely autonomously.
“It’s basically independent judiciary,” Sky Sports said. “Then they are in charge of this process and its timing. They hear the case, decide on the result, and have no effect on its timing.”
Masters refused to speculate on when it could be achieved, but acknowledged frustration surrounding the lengthy legal proceedings.
“My frustration is really irrelevant, I just have to wait. Legal processes rarely take less time than you expected. But we have to be patient,” he said.
Premier League chief also discussed speculation about production matches abroad, after Lalig’s plan for accessories between Villarreal and Barcelona on Monday received approval from the Spanish football Federation (RFEF).
He insisted that the controversial proposal “Game 39” – another competing match introduced outside Britain – remained off the table.
“I think the (LALIGA) match that has been talked about is a long way to see if it really happens,” Masters said.
“It didn’t change our view of matches abroad. We looked at 39. The game trip back when with a lot of controversy … Our goal at that time was how Premier League growth around the world. We did it by different means,” he added.
Masters also responded to fears about the competitiveness of newly promoted clubs, after all three teams last season – Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton – have just come.
A similar formula occurred in the 2023-24 campaign, when Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United were all included back to the championship after just a year in the highest flight.
He pointed to the success of Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham, who were promoted to the 2022-23 season and “three years later” in the Premier League “perform very well.”
“It will never be easy … Premier League is becoming more competitive. The championship is a fantastic division. We want it to be successful. We want the influx of different clubs to come and leave.
He also confirmed that the newly introduced independent football regulator is expected to start operation in October or November.
“We are the first country, the main football nation that will be regulated in this way,” he said. *”Premier League works in a global environment. So naturally we have some concerns, but the main thing is that I think the regulator is not starting from the position that football is somehow broken in this country …
“All key indicators are really positive for the whole pyramid, for English teams, men and women.
The Premier League 2025-26 will start on Friday when it defends the Champions Liverpool Bournemouth.
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Published on:
August 13, 2025
